Train your dog or puppy to come when called

Training your dog or puppy come when it is called!

Training a dog
to come when it is called is a vital, and potentially life saving, part of

any successful dog training program.

All properly trained dogs must learn to respond instantly to the owner's
voice,

and the sooner this lesson is learned the better.

The advantages of teaching a dog to come when called are obvious.

For starters, coming when called will help you regain control of the dog in
case of

collar break, snapped leash or other similar equipment failure.

This is particularly important when you are out with your dog, especially in
an area

with lots of traffic.

It is vital that the dog respond to your voice and return to your side,

even in the absence of collar and leash, and even if there are lots of other

things competing for its attention.

Coming when called is also a vital skill for every working dog or puppy.

Whether the dog's job is herding sheep, guarding livestock, or sniffing
out bombs and

drugs at the airport, the working dog must be under total control at all times,

whether on leash or off.

Even if your dog's only job is being a loyal companion, it is still vital
that he learn

this important basic
dog obedience training exercise.

After the first dog obedience training lessons, such as heeling,
stopping on command, sitting on command, etc.

have been learned, it is time to start incorporating the come when called lessons

into the daily training sessions.

One note about dog training
- it is all too easy for training sessions to become dull and

routine for both handler and dog.

A bored dog will not be receptive to learning, just as a bored handler will
not be a good teacher.

It is important, therefore, to always incorporate fun things and play into every
training session.

Incorporating a few minutes of play time before the lesson begins can do wonders
for the attitude

of dog and human alike.

Likewise, ending each training session with a few minutes of free play time
is a great way to end on a positive note and to help the dog associate obedience
training with fun and not drudgery.

The command to stay and the command to come when called are often combined
in

dog obedience training lessons,
and they do go naturally together.

Start with the dog on a loose leash, ask the dog to sit and then slowly back
away.

If the dog begins to get up and follow you, return to the dog and ask him to
sit again.

Continue this process until you can reach the end of the leash without the dog
getting up.

After you can successfully reach the end of the leash on a consistent basis,
try dropping the leash altogether.

Of course you will want to do this in a controlled environment like a fenced
in yard.

After the dog has mastered the stay command, it is time to add the come when
called command.

Take up the leash again, and with the dog on the end of the leash, say "come"
or "come here".

It is often helpful to use a lure when teaching this behavior.

The lure provides a visible item for the dog to focus on.

Teaching the dog or puppy to come to the lure is a good first step in training
the dog to come when called.

Repeat this procedure many times until the dog will consistently stay and then
come when called.

After the dog has mastered coming when called while attached to the leash, slowly
start introducing

the concept when the leash is removed.

As before, these training sessions should only take place in a controlled, safe
environment,

such as a fenced in front or back yard.

A well trained, obedient
dog should respond to the call to return to its owner no matter

where it is and no matter what distractions may occur.

It is therefore necessary to test the dog with distractions of your own.

If you have a neighbor, preferably one with a dog of his own, try having him
come over with the dog.

Have him, and the dog, stand just outside the fenced in area and repeat the
come when called exercise

with your dog off leash.

If he becomes distracted by the other dog, put the leash back on and repeat
the process.

The goal is to have your dog consistently pay attention to your commands,

no matter what distractions may present themselves.