Teaching our dog to come when called is one of the most significant skills we can impart to our furry companions. However, with so much they want to explore about the world, teaching the command can be quite a challenge at first.
To ingrain in them an effective recall, we want our dogs to feel that being with us is the most rewarding and best thing ever, and that they can turn away from other stimuli on cue when we say the command.
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Why Won't My Dog Come to Me
You’ve probably typed “Cesar milan” or “How to train your dog to come when called” on your trusted search engine. If your dog won’t come when called, we hear you.
Remember that training your dog is a partnership, not just a test of your dog's abilities. If your dog isn't responding to recall, consider these factors:
- Tone of Voice Matters: If you call your dog angrily, don’t expect a quick response. Use a happy, upbeat tone to encourage a positive reaction.
- Name Overload: Using your dog’s name too often can diminish its impact. Choose specific, engaging cues like “Come!” or Let’s Go!” to make recall exciting.
- Be Engaging: When your dog comes to you, celebrate the moment with praise, clapping, or whistling to reinforce the behavior.
- Avoid Negative Associations: If recalling means the fun ends, your dog may avoid coming to you. A study by Vieira de Castro et al. (2020) found that dogs trained with aversive methods showed more stress and pessimism, while those trained with rewards displayed stronger attachments to their owners.
- Keep Rewarding: Don’t stop treats too soon! Recall is a challenging behavior, so continue rewarding your dog occasionally to maintain their interest.
- Vary Environments: Practice recall in different settings. Consistent practice in diverse environments is advised. According to Sandra Robbins, certified dog trainer, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, A dog is more likely to respond to "come" if they've practiced in various situations, with praise and rewards.
If your dog hasn’t fully mastered commands yet, it increases the risk of them getting lost when off-leash. Always walk them on a leash outdoors. If they do get lost, a pet tracker like the Petcube GPS Tracker can help. It offers real-time tracking, monitors your dog’s activity, and provides access to an online vet service for added peace of mind.
How to Get Your Dog to Come to You
How to train your dog to come when called every time? Whether you want to train your puppy or adult dog, effectively teaching the recall is definitely possible.
Steps in Teach Your Dog to Come
- Choose an Incentive: Grab a tasty treat or a fun toy to motivate your dog. Show it to them to spark their interest.
- Call Them: Take a few steps back and call your dog’s name, saying "come" in a cheerful tone. Crouch down to encourage them more.
- Reward Their Arrival: When your dog comes to you, gently hold their collar and reward them with the treat or let them enjoy the toy.
- Increase Distance: Gradually call your dog from further away, practicing in different rooms or the garden.
- Practice with a Partner: Have a friend help by holding your dog while you move away and call them. Celebrate every successful return with praise!
- Take It Outside: Once they’re consistent at home, practice in safe outdoor areas. Use a long training lead to give them some freedom while keeping them safe.
FAQs
How to train your dog to come back when off the lead?
Use a tasty treat or toy as an incentive to encourage your dog to return. Show the item, run a few steps away, and call them in an excited tone. Meanwhile, having a reliable pet tracker device such as the Petcube GPS Tracker is a good gadget to monitor your dog’s real-time location when they happen to venture beyond where your eyes can see.
How to teach a dog to come without treats?
Using other rewards such as praise and affection may be effective. In a Reddit discussion, one commenter shared that she uses treats for accomplishments, but to call her dog, she kneels and opens her arms; Her dod then responds well to love and praise when running towards her.
How to get your dog to come when distracted?
According to Renee Rhoades, MSc, and applied animal behaviorist and founder of R+Dogs, using positive reinforcement, practice the recall gradually in settings with more and more distractions.
Conclusion
Effective recall training goes beyond commands. It also strengthens your bond with your dog. Creating a positive environment and a sense of safety while training helps keep your dog happy while teaching them that they can trust you.