When your puppy was very little, he followed you everywhere. But now he is older, independent, and has found that the world has a lot more to offer than you (sounds like human kids, huh?) This time when you call him, instead of flying into your open arms, he stands and looks at you like, “why should I?” or, if he is really brazen, he takes this opportunity to flee in the other direction. Never fear, there is hope! Here are 15 tips (tricks!) to get your dog to come when called.
#1 – Always Reward
If your dog comes right to you (even if it’s once in a blue moon) – reward him! Play, praise, treats, even release him to go run again. All of these will show him that coming to you means good things.
#2 – Get Low
Lowering your body down and look less “imposing” can help get a reluctant dog to come. (It also makes it easier for you to grab that collar when she finally does come so she can’t take off again).
#3 – Never Punish
Even if your dog just stole the steak off the table, don’t punish him if he comes to you finally. To your dog, you are punishing him for coming, not for stealing the steak.
#4 – Act Excited
Happy voice, open arms, excited words, etc., will make your dog more interested in coming to you. After all, it sounds and looks like you are having a lot of fun over where you are.
#5 – Don’t Repeat The Cue
If you keep saying come and your dog doesn’t, you are teaching him he can ignore you. Instead, say it once and even better, only say it when you are 99 percent sure your dog is going to come to you.
#6 – Show a Toy
This is bribery. This should only be used in very early training if you have a dog that you just cannot get to come. You want to work to the point where the toy doesn’t have to be visible. IF you can only get your dog to come when you have a toy showing, you have a problem, so work on fading it from site and variably reward. Sometimes he gets the toy when he comes, sometimes he doesn’t (maybe he gets a different toy or a treat as a reward instead).
#7 –Don’t Call Him For Something He Hates
Does your dog hate a bath, the car, nail trims? Then don’t call him to you and then make him do something he doesn’t like. Would you come to someone who called you over to them and then flicked spiders on you? Probably not. Instead, go get him.
#8 – Don’t Chase
That’s a fun game. If you have a dog you know doesn’t come, have him drag a long line attached to a harness so you can just step on it if he starts to bolt.
#9 – Run Away
This can be really hard to convince yourself to do and don’t do it if your dog is in danger of any kind. But, it can be a great tactic, especially if you have a dog that likes to chase. (Remember, it only works if your dog can see you). For some dogs, all you need to do is walk away for them to think “wait, don’t leave me!”
#10- Hide
Building on the idea above, most dogs – even the independent ones – only like this game as long as you are there. If you suddenly disappear (hide behind a tree, rock, around a corner, behind the house), it’s not fun anymore and the will usually run to find you.
#11 – Catch and Release
This is a great way to teach your dog that coming to you doesn’t mean the fun is stopping. Call your dog to you, give them praise, have them sit, etc. and then release them to go do whatever. This is especially important training for dog park goers.
#12 – Teach Him His Name
This may seems simplistic, but if you teach your dog that his name means “pay attention and give me eye contact” your dog will be less likely to tune you out and ignore your next cue, which would be “come.” Start with this at short distances and on leash.
#13 –Use Another Dog
Like showing a toy, this is a “crutch” you can use while training if you just can’t get your dog to come. If you have another dog, or there is another dog around like at a park, start playing and giving attention to that dog. Most dogs will come running to see why their owner is playing with someone else. Again, it will need to be faded, but it can be a good management tool at the beginning.
#14 – Turn To The Side
You are much less threatening when you turn your body to the side when you are calling your dog. It’s a more inviting posture and your dog will be more likely to come into your space.
#15 – Teach Touch
Touch – where your dog touches his nose to your hand – is a game that a lot of dogs love. If that’s your dog, teaching “come-touch” can turn come into a fun game that he is more likely to want to do.
Toledo, United States.
