Training "come"

[oakash]

There have probably have been a lot of threads on this, but I needed to know, what is the easiest way to teach come by yourself. Everything I have found has to be with two or more people, or a long leash, and I don't have those. We are kinda tight on the money, and my mom wouldn't want us to buy one of those long leashes when we already have a couple of short ones. She is pretty good on it, but she probably won't come at the dog park. And if I don't train her that, she could get hurt. Also, my dad won't let us get another dog until she is fully trained to come.

I think that is just an excuse though, cause he doesn't want another dog period. I really don't know why, we have had dogs forever.

 

[lisabobisa]

Well as far as the long leash is concerned, you could just hook the short ones you have together. It doesn't have to be a leash really, it's just something to keep them tethered to you. Just tying some rope to the end of your leash would be fine as long as you make sure it's secure.

 

[Lolas Dad]

Teach the command "come" with treats. When I call Lola I bend down a little bit and hit my thigh she comes running no problem for the most part. Treat when the dog comes to you right away.

Another thing I had done was have Lola sitting in the dog park and have her wait. I then walk about 50' turn around and call her with a treat in my hand that she sees and always comes running. If she tries to come before I call her I have her go back to the original spot and start over. There could be a lot of other dogs in the dog park but when we do this she is totally focused on me and the treat of course. Actually thinking about it she is probably more focused on the treat.:rofl1:

 

[woofah]

1. The first rule is that you must never call a dog to you for punishment.
2. The second rule is that calling your dog to you should be a game, not an order.
3. Set the animal up for success: keep sessions short and scattered randomly throughout the day. Don’t say, “come” when you are sure he won’t (set yourself and the dog up for success).

 

[AGonzalez]

What we did during our classes was this..
You get their attention (have a treat) and say "come" if they come toward you, back up quickly...they usually will follow you. Go a few steps and then give them the treat for coming.

Another one we took a handful of treats would have the dogs attention right in front of you...toss the treat to one side, as soon as they get it say "come" and when they get to you toss the treat to the other side...repeat over and over...

 

[Maxy24]

Do whatever you can to get him to chase you without saying come and without showing a treat or toy. Run away, clap, make noises, lie on the ground, whatever. When he comes he gets a treat. Then run away. He knows you have food so he'll follow. when he catches up to you give the treat and run away. It should be a fun game. So long as he comes each time you run away you can add the word "come" as soon as you start to run away. Come means get to you.

Do this game a few times a day. Getting a long leash shouldn't be that expensive. Save up your money so you can eventually practice outside. I will walk around outside with the dog on the long line and randomly do something to get him to come, then he gets a treat. He'll probably stick to you for a few minutes waiting for a treat but once he looses interest for a minute or so do it again. Once he comes every time you do the action that gets him to come add the cue "come". So randomly while you walk around the yard say come, make a big deal, give a treat or two and let him explore some more. It's a nice fun game. Try and always treat for come.

 

[oakash]

Alrighty, I shall try them as soon as possible. Where is the best place to buy a long leash??

 

[Maxy24]

Any pet store should have them.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Wal Mart has them too, for about 1/2 the price as pet stores.

 

[DanL]

As an aside- I know a lot of people who like to train the recall with "Here" vs "Come". Here has a happier sound for the dog, Come is harsh and sounds like a correction.

I use Here on my dogs.

 

[Doberluv]

You can get a fairly thin, but strong, cotton rope from the hardware store for very little money. They have rope on big spools and you can cut off what you need. For a long line, you can cut about 30 ft...more or less. You can either tie it on the collar or buy (if you can afford it) a clasp to attach to the end.

As it was said, never punish in association with come. Punishment isn't always the obvious. People inadvertantly punish their dogs all the time when they call their dogs. For instance, they call them and the fun they were having ends. They come inside and the owner right away, leaves for hours. The dog comes and gets his nails clipped or gets a bath or some other equally unpleasant thing to the dog happens. Be sure that every time your dog comes to you, whether or not you called him, that it's the best thing ever.

If he just did something you don't like and then comes, again...never punish or scold him for that other thing. He will not want to come to you. If you have to go get him because he didn't come, don't punish. Anyhow, you get the idea.

Don't call the dog while he's engaged in something fascinating...while he's learning. You're setting him up to fail. Wait until he's already coming, until he's inches from you to use your cue. Take hold of his collar, give him a treat/praise, and then release him to go play again. If he's having fun, do this a few times before bringing him away from his fun. Then, once inside, continue some fun for a few minutes so he learns that coming does not equal the end of fun.

Never use your cue word with an angry, stern voice and don't use it to elicit the recall until he's reliable. Run the other way, squeek a toy, hide behind something and make a game. Just don't use your cue word if he's unlikely to come or you'll miss the association and he'll learn he doesn't have to come. And don't show him the treat first. In other words, don't bribe. Reward instead. Once he's coming regularly, you can use the cue word, but make it easy for him to comply. Start out with no distractions...or very few and increase distractions gradually.