How to train a dog to come when called

One of the benefits of obedience training is enhancing the bond between master and pet. A dog that has undergone basic obedience lessons develops into good canine citizen. An owner of a dog that can do tricks will certainly be very proud of the pet’s ability. It is common for dog owners to obedience train the dog to be able to manage the pet’s behavior. Teaching the dog to come when called is one of the necessary obedience trainings as a dog that obeys the recall command can be saved from a dangerous situation. Dogs have been injured, others have died because the owners were not able to teach the pet to obey the recall command.

Teaching the dog to come when called is especially important for dogs that are kept on a leash or in a crate. Dogs are energetic animals thus they would not appreciate being leashed as their chance to play will be restricted. Thus when a leashed or crated dog breaks its confinement, it would be gloriously happy. It would be extremely difficult to capture a dog that is ecstatic for being free more so if the dog was not trained by the owner to come when called. Dogs have been injured and worst killed because of this kind of situation.

Teaching the dog to come when called will be easy as dogs already have the tendency to be the shadow of their masters. Dogs were even branded as Velcro pets. However, aside from being hunters, dogs are also very curious animals. The dog would want to obey the master but it will be excited to follow the interesting scent as well. The interesting scent would commonly win.

Training the dog to come when called or any other obedience training for that matter is best started when the dog is still young. As always, a calm environment is a most suitable training area as a dog that is not distracted would adapt more to the training. Start the training by standing a couple of paces away from the dog, call the pet’s name and give the “come” command.

The dog will not understand the command at the start of the training so you can hold a toy or a treat to entice the dog to come when you give the command. Reward the dog with a praise, a hug or a treat when the pet comes to you after you gave the command. This exercise must be repeated several times a day but be sure that the training session would not be more that 5 or 10 minutes as dogs easily get bored. A dog that is well trained will come even if the command is issued from another room.

Sarah’s Dogs provides more information on how to train a dog to come when called as well as dog first aid.