How to get your dog to come when called doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen, sometimes, with some careful and persistent practice. When learning how to get your dog to come when called, remember that a dog’s innate instincts are to stay and watch at the front door. This behavior can be difficult to change, but with constant practice, you can learn how to get your dog to come when called.
The key to changing dog behavior is to condition him to respond to consistent, positive reinforcement. There are several dog training tricks that you can use when training your dog to come whenever called, including treats and games. When working with your dog on his recall basic training, using treats as a reward for positive recalls can help your puppy and you both understand the importance of being consistent.
If your dog is particularly distracted or restless when being called, he may not be able to successfully complete his recall even when given the chance. The best way to distract your dog while training him to keep his focus is to distract him. While running around and playing with other dogs is fun, distractions are not good for him at all times. Be sure to stay focused on your training and your dog will be better able to follow you.
If you have other dogs that you want to train as well, consider joining an obedience class. Classifieds like “Yappy Hour” and “Millionaire’s Row” can be a good way to incorporate both agility and training into your dog training sessions. This way, you can teach your dog at the same time, and you can work on your obedience with one dog at a time. It can be a lot of fun teaching your dog these commands!
If your dog becomes distracted in the line, make him walk to the side of the long line and keep walking with him until he has fully made his recall. After he has returned to the far side of the long line, call his name once again and start walking in the opposite direction. Repeat this process as many times as necessary, until your dog completes the recall without being distracted.
If your dog is especially distracted in the park, or at other places where you would like him to be focused, consider attaching a leash to your boot so that you can easily keep control over him. Using a leash is a good recall training technique in busy, open areas. Remember to always walk with your dog, never in the other direction, and be prepared to take him directly into your company if he gets too far off lead. Using a leash can also prevent your dog from running off with one of his friends (remember that his “friends” are just as distracting as you are).
A second method for recall training rewards your dog when he successfully walks within your vicinity. This is a great way to reinforce positive behavior, since your dog will be getting a treat. It’s best to use a combination of treats, with the dog walking close to you on the leash. This way he will learn to stay within reach of you without losing the scent of you, while you reward him. When he has successfully walked within range of you, then give him the treat and praise him enthusiastically.
Finally, there are dog training games which allow you to reinforce all of the above methods at once. They are also very fun for you and your dog! You can play hide and seek with him, a game in which you hide and seek him until he trips in front of you, then in hopes that he will bring you the object of his pursuit – a stuffed animal or toy. Or you can play fetch, where you toss a toy carrot and wait for him to retrieve it; if he does, give him the treat and lots of praise. Or you can play a variation of the hide and seek game, making it more difficult for him by building in obstacles to his quest. Many people also find that playing the competitive hunt-and-fetch game with a friend, or in teams, is a lot of fun, and helps to reinforce good recall habits.
