Come When Called

Teaching a puppy to come when called is an important exercise. It is best done using games. Initially when you are teaching the command it is important to make sure that obeying is followed by something the puppy perceives as being fun. Avoid practicing come when you plan to clip your puppy's nails or other activity that your pup is uncomfortable with.

As with all of training, it is important to be able to elicit the behavior reliably before actually combining a cue with it. There are several things you can do that will prompt your pup to come to you.

• In a high-pitched happy voice say: "Pup, pup, pup, puppyyy!"
• Clap your hands together quickly.
• Run away from your puppy.
• Start close to your pup so that she can see that you have a treat.
• Have a smile on your face.

Combine one or more of these techniques when you play the following games.

Hansel and Gretel

You elicit the pup to come toward you; click when he arrives but rather than giving the treat to the pup place it on the floor a little way away. While your pup is eating the treat, move away and get him to come to you again.

When he is reliably coming to you without any prompting, use the word "Come" just as he starts to turn toward you. Click when your pup reaches you and place the treat on the floor.

Hide and Seek

When you notice your pup becoming slightly distracted, dart around a corner or into a closet. Then get her to come to you using a high-pitched "pup" or hand clapping. Give lots of praise and a treat when she finds you. As the pup catches on to the game start hiding further away or in more difficult to find locations. Start using the word "come" when the pup is very likely to come.

The Come Game

This game requires two or more people. Have the pup go from one person to another using the techniques above. You can also throw a ball from one person to another to help the puppy. If this game is played outdoors in an unfenced area, it would be best to have the puppy drag a length of rope behind it. The rope could be tied to an object which can be thrown between the human players. Again, introduce the command when the pup is reliably going from one individual to another.

Come to Dinner

If your pup reliably runs to you when you fix its dinner, that would be another good time to introduce the word "come."

Some Variations

It is good to get your pup used to having someone grab its collar. Do this occasionally when playing the games above. Avoid grabbing the collar from above the head; rather grab the collar underneath the pup¹s neck.

Combine the "come" with another command, like "sit" before reinforcing the puppy.