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