As a professional breeder for pomsky, I understand the importance of training your dog. One of the most crucial skills that every dog owner should teach their dogs is how to come when called. It can be a lifesaver in many situations, especially when your dog is off-leash in an open area or when they have escaped from home.
In this article, I will guide you through the steps on how to train your dog to come when called. The process requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.
Step 1: Start with a solid foundation
Before you start training your dog to come when called, it’s essential to build a strong foundation. This means ensuring that your pup has basic obedience training under their belt. They should know commands such as sit, stay, heel, and down.
To achieve this foundation, consider enrolling your dog in obedience classes or working with a professional trainer. Once you have established this basic obedience, you can then move on to teaching them more advanced commands like “come.”
Step 2: Choose the right time and place
When starting the training process, it’s important to choose the right time and place. You want a location where there are minimal distractions and noise so that your dog can focus on you.
Start by practicing indoors or in a fenced backyard before moving onto more challenging environments like public parks. Avoid crowded areas until your dog has mastered the command.
Step 3: Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is key when teaching your dog new skills. Rewarding good behavior encourages your dog to repeat it. When they come when called, praise them enthusiastically and offer treats or toys as rewards.
Make sure that the reward is something that motivates your dog; otherwise, they may lose interest in the training. Remember to keep treats small, so they don’t get too full or lose interest.
Step 4: Practice Makes Perfect
Training your dog is a process that requires time and patience. You can’t expect your dog to learn the command overnight. Repetition is key, and you should practice every day for at least ten minutes.
Start by calling your dog’s name followed by the “come” command in a cheerful tone of voice. When they come to you, reward them with praise and a treat.
As your dog becomes more comfortable with the command, increase the distance between you and your dog. Gradually build up the distance until you can call your dog from across the room or yard.
Step 5: Avoid Negative Reinforcement
Negative reinforcement such as punishment or scolding should be avoided when teaching your dog to come when called. It can create fear and anxiety, making it less likely that they will obey the command in the future.
If your dog doesn’t come when called, avoid chasing after them. Instead, try calling them again or using a different command like “sit.” If all else fails, use a leash to bring them back to you.
Step 6: Make it Fun!
Training your dog should be fun for both of you. Incorporate games and playtime into the training process to make it enjoyable for your pup.
Try playing hide-and-seek with your dog where you hide and call their name followed by the “come” command. When they find you, reward them with praise and treats.
You can also teach them the “find it” game by hiding treats around the house or backyard and calling their name followed by “find it.” This game teaches them to associate their name with positive rewards.
Step 7: Consistency is Key
Consistency is crucial when training your dog to come when called. You should use the same command every time, and everyone in the household should use the same command.
If you change the command or use different tones of voice, it can confuse your dog and make it harder for them to understand what you want. Ensure that everyone in your household follows the same training routine for maximum effectiveness.
Conclusion
Teaching your dog to come when called is a critical skill that every dog owner should master. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can train your pup to obey this command reliably.
Remember to start with a strong foundation, choose the right time and place, use positive reinforcement, practice regularly, avoid negative reinforcement, make it fun, and be consistent. By following these steps, you’ll have a well-trained pup who comes when called!
