Teach your dog to come is our tenth in a series of articles. If you have missed any there are links at the bottom of the page.
Why Is It Important To Teach Your Dog To Come?
Teaching your dog to come is a very useful tool to have in your arsenal of basic commands that every dog should know. Why? Picture this:
You and your dog are having a very nice leisurely walk close to a wooded area. Of course, Pepe is on a leash. But, all of a sudden Pepe’s tiny little ears are perked and like a bolt of lightning, he is off to chase a rabbit! You look down at the leash in your hand with no Pepe at the end. Darn! You meant to tighten his halter last week, but you got busy and forget all about it!
Or picture this:
You ordered a brand new dress for your anniversary date with your husband. The doorbell rings and you are so excited because you are pretty sure it’s your dress being delivered! You know that little Lupe is a bolter, but the last you looked little Lupe was napping in her crate in the bedroom. You open the door and at breakneck speed, zoom! Little Lupe is halfway down the street!
Both of these scenes have happened to me — well, not the dress part 🙂 — and they can happen to you at any time. Even if your little Lupe is not a bolter, if she hears or sees something interesting while the door is open, then, believe me, she will run!
“As soon as my dog is off-leash, he runs. What should I do? — Don’t chase him. That will only encourage him. Stand your ground and wait until he comes”
See: How to stop a run-away Chihuahua
Teaching your dog to “come” could very well save his or her life, and a lot of heartache for you.
The Goal
To teach your dog to come to you on command each and every time you request it is the goal. This is a command that you should keep reinforcing throughout his or her life. Make your dog work — so to speak — for his supper. When you are playing, or when he is in another room, tell him to come. Before you feed him, make him “stay” (Part 7 of this series) then he can start eating only when you tell him to come. I do this every day with Remedy.
Always reward your dog when he comes on command, either with praise or with a treat. If your dog doesn’t obey the command to come, physically take him back to the spot where you asked him to come.
How to Teach Your Dog To Come
- Put your dog on a long (6′) leash and say come. Then gently pull him toward you immediately and give him a lot of praise or a treat. Your voice should be “happy” but firm. Only say it once.
- As your dog begins to get the idea, increase the distance and repeat.
- As he continues to improve, practice in a fenced in area and let him drag the leash. If he does not obey your command to come, lead him back to the spot where you were standing and don’t reward him. Go back to a shorter distance and require him to do 5 consecutive “successful” “come’s” before you increase the distance again.
Remember to reinforce this command often throughout his entire life, his life may depend on it!
“Tip: Always call your dog to you for good things. Never call him for a bath if he hates baths!”
Did you miss the first nine of our series?
Teach Your Chihuahua to “stay”
