Author:
Tamara Smith
Date Of Creation:
20 January 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
It is important to train your dog to come when you call him, not just for behavioral reasons, but also for safety reasons. A simple return command can be the difference between life and death if your dog loosens up and runs towards a busy street. Dogs responding to this basic command are also given more freedom outside on walks and when playing in the park. Use a training technique that interests your dog and show him a lot of patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to teach him this basic command.
To step
Part 1 of 2: Training on the leash
Choose the correct location. As with any new command, you will want to start in a location that is familiar to your dog and free from distractions such as toys, small children, food, loud noises, or other animals. This allows your dog to focus as much as possible on you, the command and behavior you want him to associate with it. - If you live with other people, keep them involved in the training process as well. This way they will know not to distract your dog while you are learning commands.
Put your dog on a leash. Although your dog will later progress to off-leash progression, the initial training will be on a leash to keep him close and focused on you. Start with a shorter 6-foot leash that allows you to keep your dog close and yourself more visible in his field of vision. - Stand at a suitable distance so that your dog cannot reach you within a few steps. For a small dog it only needs to be 2 to 3 feet, but with a large dog you may need the full 6 feet of leash.
Say "come" and start taking quick steps back. Your dog will of course want to playfully chase you when you start walking backwards quickly. You don't want to give a command more than once, make sure you say it before you start walking backwards. This gives your dog a chance to hear the command clearly before being distracted because he wants to chase you. - Giving the command once is enough. The more you say to your dog during training, the less likely he is to associate the words with behavior.
- If your dog doesn't respond and stays put, give your leash a little tug and encourage him to come over to you.
Consider using a hand signal as well. Signals are a good idea as they further associate the behavior and can also help in situations where your dog can see you but may not hear you. If you choose to work with both verbal and hand signals, choose a clear hand signal. Make sure to use the signal and the verbal command at the same time. - You can wave your hand at your body or point to the floor in front of you. Another common signal for the come command is to hold your hand in front of you with the palm up, and curl your fingers towards your palm.
Move back until your dog reaches you. You want your dog to associate the command with coming all the way, not just running a few feet. To help with this while on the shorter leash, keep walking backwards (careful not to run into something) until your dog reaches you. - If you clicker train your dog, make sure to click as soon as your dog starts moving towards you and when it arrives at you. This will reinforce his movement, direction and good behavior.
Use positive reinforcement. Once your dog reaches you, praise him. Repeated positive reinforcement helps your dog understand that he is doing what you want with the associated behavior. - While positive reinforcement usually comes in the form of praise and treats, you can use your knowledge about your dog to your advantage. You may know that he responds best when you give him his favorite toy after obeying a command.
Add distractions and distance. The key to success is introducing greater distances and distracting environments in small increments so that they add a new dimension without overwhelming your dog. If you start out in your quiet living room with no toys at first, try scattering a few toys around the next time, and then try turning on the TV the next time, too. After that, try moving it to the backyard and use a 4.5 meter line instead of the shorter one. 
Use the method during walks. One of the best ways to train the command consistently is to include it in your daily walks with your dog. Not only does this ensure that you train the command regularly with your dog, but it also provides a variety of different locations and different levels of distraction to challenge your dog to stay focused. 
Give the command without walking backwards. Your dog will eventually learn to associate the command with the behavior so that you can stop taking steps back to induce the behavior. Reduce the number of steps you take after giving the command from several to just one or two. After that, work on issuing the command without taking any steps back. - Remember to be patient. If your dog doesn't come when you are standing still, go back to taking one or two steps for a day and then try again.
Consider group training. If your dog hits a wall anywhere in the process, consider taking him to a trainer. A professional trainer can help correct any mistakes in your home technique, and the group environment is great for socializing your dog. - A trainer can teach you and your dog how best to communicate with each other as well as learn from each other.
Part 2 of 2: Moving on to training without a leash
Try to recall your dog without a leash. After several days or weeks - depending on your dog - of leash training, choose an enclosed area and see if you can let your dog come back while he is running free. If he doesn't respond to the command, you may need to use the backward method again so that he chases you. Remember, the process will take time and patience, so don't get frustrated if your dog doesn't quite understand the first time you let go. The important part is that you have to keep trying. - Also, avoid repeating the command over and over if it has proven ineffective. Any time you repeat the command without your dog understanding it, you risk weakening the association that has already begun to form with the command. If it doesn't respond at all, go back to using the long line for a few days before trying again.
- If you initially need to take one or more steps back to evoke the behavior, reduce those steps, take smaller steps, and take other measures to get your dog off the need for you to move to get him to respond to the command.
- Ask him to come every now and then when he doesn't expect it from you. For example, call him when he's snooping around the yard to test his attention to the command.
Call him back with restrictions. When trying to increase the distance from where you recall your dog, you may need help from another person. Restricted recall involves having someone else hold your dog so that you can buy further away without your dog following. When you're done, give the command once (along with any hand signals you're learning) and at the same time, the person holding the dog lets go of it. - As always, use your clicker when you clicker train and provide ample positive reinforcement when your dog arrives at you.
- The best way for the person holding the dog to stop him is to hook the fingers together across his chest.
Try a round-robin approach. Once your dog successfully responds to your command, a round-robin approach presents new challenges and complexity to the process. Have two or three additional people outside of you in a large circle at least 20 feet apart, and have people on different sides of the circle take turns commanding your dog to come. - Before the next person gives the command, make sure each person has the right amount of time to praise and give your dog a treat. Don't forget to use the clicker when you clicker train and have each person give the correct signal if you use hand signals in addition to the command.
Expand the scope of the workout. When you are more comfortable with your dog's progress, adjust the training environment and increase your dog's exposure to distractions. If you find that your dog always seems distracted during training, take a step back and get back to working in a familiar environment before moving on to more complicated environments. - Make sure you never go all the way to open areas (or even enclosed parks where safety can be an issue) before your dog successfully obeys the command in various locations with all different levels of distraction.
Seek help. If your dog is constantly struggling to make the leap from obeying on leash to obeying while walking free, don't be afraid to ask for help from a professional dog trainer. A training session with an instructor can guide you through these difficulties. You can also reach out to a professional trainer or canine behaviorist to ask for more advice. - Every dog is different and so not every dog learns exactly the same way.
Tips
- Initially, make the learning process as fun as possible. Don't try to use the return command for a haircut or anything else he doesn't like while your dog is still teaching it. This will only add negative association for your dog.
- You can start teaching your dog a come back command when he is about three months old. One session should last about five to ten minutes, and you can do up to three sessions spread over the day.Sessions should usually be shorter the younger the dog is due to a limited concentration time.
- If you only use this command when it's time to stop playing, your dog will interpret it as a punishment and think that this command always predicts the end of a good time for her.
- Always end your training sessions with something positive.
- Never punish or scold your dog when he finally comes after a very delayed return, no matter how angry or frustrating the delay is. If you do, your dog will associate the return with punishment and will be reluctant to come in the future.
