COMING WHEN CALLED    

First of all, remember a basic rule of behavior -- any animal will repeat behaviors that have a pleasant consequence, and they will avoid doing behaviors that result in an unpleasant consequence. 

Most people, who complain that their dog won’t come when they call, have already ruined the word “Come”. Or the dog may have a negative association with its name.

For many dogs, the word "Come" is likely to have a negative emotional reaction. To a dog, "Come" usually means stop whatever fun thing you're doing (playing, sniffing, exploring, etc.) and return to your owner. For too many dogs, that is an unpleasant consequence. You have to actively work at creating a pleasant consequence immediately after your dog comes to you.

Ways to teach your dog to NOT come when you call:

• Call your dog and then do something unpleasant, like cutting toenails or giving a bath.
• Call your dog in from playing when he has not gotten enough exercise yet.
• Call your dog and then ignore the dog.
• Call your dog in an angry tone of voice.
• Call your dog and then confine him and leave the house.
• Walk forward threateningly toward the dog and try to grab him while saying “Come”.

Tips to teach your dog to come:

• Teach your dog the Name Game. We’ll do this in class.
• ALWAYS make it pleasant for the dog to come to you.
• NEVER NEVER scold the dog after he comes to you, no matter what. 
• REWARD every time – something the dog wants! 
• Be unpredictable with the rewards, so he never knows what kind of goodie, toy, or game you might have. Don’t show the reward up front.
• Be aware of your body language – crouch down at first, or turn away slightly from the dog. Clap your hands. Be inviting.
• Once your dog is coming towards you, sometimes turn and run away – this engages the dog’s natural desire to chase. Make a fun game of letting him catch you.
• Have your dog wear a long drag line, and step on the line if he goes away from you. We’ll show you how to use a long line in class.
• Reward and praise when he comes, then let your dog go back to what he was doing before you called him! Show him that coming to you is not always the end of playtime.

Build on success:

• Use really high value food rewards – something your dog does not usually get. 
• Practice in safely fenced, low distraction areas (no squirrels!) for a long time. 
• Start with a tired dog – a dog that has pent up energy is less likely to come. 
• Let your dog run around and investigate for a while before you even try to call him. 
• Get close to your dog before you call, then work up the distance very gradually. The farther away you are, the less influence you have on the dog.
• Don’t increase your distance or distractions until your dog responds immediately and happily to your recall word. 
• If your dog already has a negative association with the word “Come”, use a new word like “Here”.
• Work on the collar grab separately. We’ll do this in class. Do not try to grab your dog until you have established the grab as a good thing. 
• Don’t call your dog if he isn’t likely to come (think squirrels) – this weakens the recall word, and teaches your dog to ignore you! Just calmly go get the dog in that situation (don’t chase the dog, just step on the drag line).

You will get farther if you do some relationship work with your dog too. In class we will explain the concept of leadership and mutual respect.

And finally, know your dog. A scent hound, for example, isn’t likely to come if he is hot on the trail of a rabbit. It takes a LOT of work to compete with Mother Nature. Don’t ever put your dog in a dangerous situation. Recall training does not take the place of a fence or leash.


Copyright © Pat Scott

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