| The Come Command- A Great Dog Command to | | | | you praise him "yes Rover, good boy!" and |
| Start with | | | | give him a treat. |
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| Let's start with the "Come Command" | | | | Repeat this as often as you can. He will |
| | | | quickly realize that you have a hand full of |
| The "come command" is perhaps one of the | | | | treats and will sit right by you so try |
| other most important commands that you want | | | | different things. For example, go to another |
| your dog to know and one of the most | | | | room and say Rover, come. If he comes, praise |
| difficult for him to learn. | | | | him and reward him. |
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| When you need to use the come command it | | | | You could also try practicing this exercise |
| might be when he has ran out of the house or | | | | down a long hallway or from another side of |
| when he is in a dangerous situation. | | | | the house. Have another family member help |
| | | | you and you can make a fun game out of it, |
| Therefore, in order for the come command to | | | | sort of like hide and seek. |
| be effective, you need to stay calm, no | | | | |
| matter how frightened you may be for his | | | | There are many ways that you can practice |
| safety. If you run after him in a panic, he | | | | this command, but the key is to practice it |
| will only run faster and farther away. If you | | | | often and always have a positive reward |
| stay calm, your dog will more likely move | | | | waiting for your dog. It doesn't have to be a |
| towards you. | | | | treat; it could also be a toy, a walk, a |
| | | | belly rub, etc. |
| The come command should only be given for a | | | | |
| very positive experience and you should | | | | If you are in a situation, for example you |
| praise him lavishly when he responds | | | | are out in your front yard, your dog is loose |
| correctly. | | | | and he does not respond to your come command, |
| | | | he might not fully understand it yet. In that |
| For example, if you say Rover, come and then | | | | case, you could try a couple of other |
| you give him a bath, he will associate come | | | | options. |
| with a bad experience (if he doesn't like | | | | |
| baths.) | | | | First, you could offer him a treat. Rover, do |
| | | | you want a treat? Be sure to say it |
| Or, if you say Rover, come and point out an | | | | enthusiastically and will hopefully come |
| accident that he made three hours ago and you | | | | running to you in excitement. |
| scold him, he will associate the come command | | | | |
| with a scolding. | | | | Second, you could try to ignore your dog. For |
| | | | example, he may want you to chase him. But if |
| Therefore, every time you use the come | | | | you ignore him instead, he will wonder what |
| command there should be a positive reward and | | | | it is you have found that is more interesting |
| lots of praising words waiting for him. He | | | | than him, so he may come up to you. |
| should want to come to you no matter where he | | | | |
| is or what he is doing. | | | | A loose dog can be a frightening situation, |
| | | | so the more you can practice this exercise, |
| The best way for your dog to learn the come | | | | the more your dog will trust that you have a |
| command is through practice, practice, and | | | | wonderful reward waiting for him! |
| more practice. Start by standing on the other | | | | |
| side of a room from your dog. Say Rover, | | | | It would be worthwhile you take some time and |
| come. As soon as he comes all the way up to | | | | help your dog learn this exercise properly. |