Dog Training: “Come” Command

How to Train Your Dog to Come To You

Sometimes you'll be around the house, and you'll want your dog to come play with you. Other times, you'll be at a dog park, and you need your dog to come to you because it's time to go home. Mastering this command will be a daily reason to thank yourself for spending time with dog training. “Come” along and see how it's done…

A dog who's been trained for the “come” command soon becomes free to wander a bit more. The dog training “come” command tends to build a lot of confidence both from owner to dog, and in the dog's mind toward himself. Both of you will know, once he's mastered this command, that all he needs to do is stay within earshot in order to avoid separation from the pack.

Part of the goal of the dog training “come” command is for your dog to respond to the command despite any noise distractions, curiosities, or any other social interactions he may be having. It is, after all, a command, and not a request!

That particular part of the training for this command is the tough part. Dogs are intensely curious and social creatures. Plus, some dogs are bred for hunting and chasing, so scents and moving objects might distract them. Still, with patient dog training, “come” commands that you issue, will become an intense drive for them to follow as well.

So, keeping yourself mindful of the challenges and the importance, let's go over aspects of the most important command for the safety of your dog in all the world of dog training: “come.”

Challenges in Establishing the Dog Training “Come” Command

Here are a few of the things you'll be up against when you're teaching your dog the “come” command:

• The word “come” is meaningless to your dog until the training is well-underway.
• If you don't insist that your dog obey you every time, then you're not teaching a command.
• Your dog might be having too much fun to obey you.
• Perhaps in the past, the dog training “come” command was obeyed faithfully, but when your dog came to you, he didn't like the results? (Not enough positive reinforcement.)

Rules for the Trainer When Dog Training “Come” Commands

1. Remember that the training process is not a time to expect instant results. Up until you're getting the right results from your dog training, “come” commands aren't going to work. Don't let your dog off the leash until that training is working – make him earn that level of independence.
2. Never show frustration when your puppy finally responds correctly. Showing frustration, or dealing any sort of punishment when your “come” command finally succeeds, defeats your effort. During the training process, reward the arrival no matter how long it takes.
3. Try to avoid using the “come” command to interrupt your dog's fun – this will make your dog associate dog training in a negative way. On the other hand, do establish the dog training “come” command by making a part of meal or play time. Make it a normal part of life as well as setting aside training time.
4. During training sessions, don't chase after your dog when he doesn't respond.
5. Don't punish your dog for “not getting it” or for not yet reaching the level of obedience you desire. Just keep working patiently.
6. If your dog is too excitable, or too distracted, and you think it's likely your dog will ignore you, don't start a dog training “come” session. If your dog does ignore you, this hurts the overall training process.
7. Make sure you take the training process slowly – with all types of commands, but especially this one. Training your dog to “come” is a cornerstone of all your other training, so let them learn it at their own pace, to develop their confidence.
8. Once it gets easy and reliable, add distractions or begin issuing the “come” command when your dog is preoccupied, surrounded by sounds, etc. Again, don't do this in a way that makes your dog think that dog training sessions are unpleasant by constantly interrupting their fun.

Getting Results from Dog Training – “Come” Techniques

Take each of the steps below more-or-less in the order they're presented. You should easily see why each one builds up your dog to succeed for the next one. As with all obedience training, remember you are building confidence and building a relationship during dog training.

1. Start by taking advantage of your puppy's natural desire to come to you without being called. Every time your puppy comes to you, make sure he's glad he did.
2. Start your dog training by luring your dog with a bite of food or a treat. The dog training “come” process starts simple: many times per day, say “come” and then make your puppy glad he came to you.
3. The real learning process works best with two people doing the training. Sit on opposite sides of the room and each keep a stash of treats. One at a time, issue the dog training “come” command, then play and reward the puppy when he or she arrives. You want the dog to go back and forth to each person on command.
4. After a couple days of that, change it up a bit – have you and your training helper be in different rooms. Repeat the step above, occasionally moving to a different room while your dog is with your training partner. This makes it a “hide-and-seek” version of dog training. “Come” not only becomes rewarding at this point, but it becomes a game that uses your dog's natural skills.
5. Next you'll start combining this part of dog training, “come,” with leash training and working in different environments. For example, put a collar and leash on your puppy and go outside. Walk backwards away, and issue the “come” command. Reward and pet your puppy for each success.
6. Once it's obvious your puppy “gets it,” try the above step with a longer cord and in unfamiliar places. Always make sure you're able to get your hands on that cord, for you dog's outdoor safety.
7. Here's where the dog training “come” process gets advanced, and truly becomes “obedience training.” Get a small ball and your training partner in a familiar, confined setting. Get down on the floor or ground, with a good distance between yourself and your partner. Toss the ball toward your training partner, and at the same time, issue the “come” command! Your dog must choose between the ball, or the “come” command. If the dog follows the ball, whoever is closest to it should snatch it up, and don't respond to or acknowledge the puppy. If the dog follows the “come” command, reward him with lots of love.
8. While you're doing that, occasionally toss the ball without saying “come.” In those cases, let the puppy chase the ball and have fun, and play with you and your partner. This helps make it clear that the dog training “come” command is the only reason to avoid the ball. It also reminds your dog (and you!) that training includes fun and positive bonding.

If you don't have a training partner, don't have enough space for some of these dog training “come” steps, or for any other reason you want to try some ideas I haven't presented here, I recommend “Secrets to Dog Training” – an excellent, and comprehensive resource for anyone training a dog at home.

Learn more topics on dog training, or read about other obedience training commands.