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Teaching your dog to return when you call, is fairly simple but it requires patience
and continued commitment from you. Like all teaching, you must start with the basics and take it a step at a time. The simplest,
kindest and most effective method is to use praise and reward when they have done what you have asked them to do.
It is very important that you don't exercise your dog off leash until they know to come when you call. The objective
is to make them feel as free as possible but that you still have control.
Begin at home
Start the main teaching at home by keeping some tasty treats in your pocket all the
time. At regular intervals call your dog, giving a simple command such as 'COME' or saying their name (to get their attention)
and ‘COME’, give them plenty of praise and reward them with a treat as soon as they arrive.
Begin by calling at 10 to 15 minute intervals; increase the interval by 10 minutes each day. As the days go
by, vary the place and distance that you call them from until you can call from anywhere in the house. |
When they have come to you every time for 7 days you can move the teaching outside to a long line,
but do not give up the indoor training.
Keep exercising them on a long line but call them back and reward them with praise and a treat, as you have
been doing in the house. If they show more interest in their outdoor surroundings, attract their attention with a gentle tug
on the line.
Again, when they have come to you every time for 21 days you can be fairly confident that they
will come whenever you need them to.
If at any stage they fail to return, simply go back and repeat the previous stage. Just like any teacher
you must be aware of the progress of your pet and slow down the schooling to a pace they can cope with.
Once you are satisfied that your dog knows to come back, you can remove some of the rewards. Never remove all
of them; you need to keep refreshing their memory, at least twice a week. Above all NEVER use the command ‘COME’
associated with an angry tone keep your voice calm but assertive and make it fun! No
dog will want to return to an owner that shouts at or scolds them. |
