Treats are wonderful, just do not use them everytime. Too many treats not only will teach the dog to expect a treat EVERYTIME, but they are not food, so giving too many treats is similar to feeding a kid junk food, moderation is the key. Get on their level, pup wants to be with you, make lovey dovey sounds and say "COME". Loving and petting are the best treats you can give, so give them often. The pup will learn to come to you everytime even if you do not use treats, petting and huggin are great training methods. If you call and the dog wont come, get ahold of the collar and lead him\her to where you were standing to begin with. They are smart, be firm and consistent, the pup will get it in no time. In the beginning of training, try to minimize distractions, a pup does not have a large attention span.
I agree with using a leash for a puppy to bring them toward you when you call them......but you can also teach them more quickly by getting down to their level, starting by squatting then just bending then standing and eventually they will come no matter what position you are in....but puppies always seem to respond quicker when you are at their level, also since we are not always in training mode we may want them to come even when the leash is not on so I have found that if they do not come I simply walk to them take hold of their collar and bring them to the place I called from. it seems to be working well with our latest addition, our boxer....it also worked quite well with our labs when they were young we had to speak a little firmer with the labs than the boxer but they responded quite well. Good luck
I got Zoee to come by adding the word "NOW" I tell her "Zoee come", I give her a few seconds, than repeat, "Zoee come NOW" saying the word NOW loudly. I do give her a treat now and than, but not most times, she seems to think the word NOW is the message to come and has never not returned to me. I do tell her good girl when she returns, and pat her as she walks into the house.
When we went to a dog training class (good advice for someone who has never been to one) the teacher microwaved hot dog slices as treats. The dogs love the salty meaty taste. She just microwaves them until they are somewhat firm. As they cool they firm up some more. And since they are firm they are no longer greasy.
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Request: Teaching Your Dog To Come
Archived on 02/07/2007
How do I call my dog and get her to come? Sometimes she comes, but other times she just runs away.
Andrew from Vancouver
Answers:
RE: Teaching Your Dog To Come
Most dog training I have seen suggests you put her on a lead, long...and walk away from her, call her gently while tugging the lead gently toward you..saying "come here" as you do this..when she gets to you, use reward and pats and kisses and praise...do not ever be mean, impatient or yank her. Depending on her age, she just has to learn, like a young child..she will do this eventually
Hope this helps (12/15/2005)
RE: Teaching Your Dog To Come
That's good advice. Make it even more enticing by small pieces of treats. I had a hard time with my mixed lab. He was just stubborn. Now, even if he's barking at something, he'll turn around & run into the house. I don't give a treat every time now because he had to learn to come regardless. There might be a time when there's an emergency & I need him to come NOW. And he never knows when he's going to get a treat so he'd better not miss a chance! (12/16/2005)
