Teaching your dog to come to you when called is one of the most important basic commands. Once this command is mastered, you can protect him from a potentially dangerous situation by calling him to you. You can teach this command to a young puppy as soon as he learns his name.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times per day
Here’s How:
- Start indoors at the end of your dog’s leash.
- While he is not paying close attention to you, say his name followed by “come” in a clear, excited tone.
- Make movements such as tapping your knees and stepping backwards.
- As soon as your dog comes to you, praise him lavishly without causing overexcitement.
- If he does not come, lightly tug on the leash to encourage him. Again, keep an upbeat, excited tone to your voice – show him that coming to you is a very positive thing.
- Repeat 5 to 6 times, gradually moving outdoors. As he improves, practice it without the leash only if you have a fenced-in yard.
