Dog Training - Come Command
Dogs often don’t clearly know what’s wanted and so appear stubborn. Make it clear by quickly establishing dominant leader status and exercise patience and modest, firm force to get the desired behavior. This can be challenging when training a ‘come’.
Dogs naturally want to explore, to sniff everything, dig and snatch small objects. So when training minimize distractions by being as alone and far from interference and “things” as possible e.g., A clear backyard or large clean room is best.
Take advantage of spontaneous behavior when the dog heads toward you and execute a voice-command/hand gesture pair that’s unique for this behavior. Choose a gesture and word that you wouldn’t normally use outside training.
Start by facing the dog, putting it in a sit. Execute the ’stay!’ command, then back away a step or two. Issue the hand-gesture and voice command. Praise lavishly for the correct behavior, but never reward ‘partial’ or incorrect ones.
Repeat, stepping further away. If the the dog comes too soon, put it in a sit/stay and try again. If the dog won’t come encourage with a treat or toy.
For slow learners or reluctant, leash and collar training can be a useful. Put the dog in a sit/stay and back off a few feet reeling out the slack leash. If the dog refuses give a gentle but clear tug while doing the voice command and hand gesture.
For the dog who comes to readily, get a long leash or rope and wrap around a tree or post. As the dog lifts off too early tug it and do a ’stay’ command. A partner can help but the downside is the dog will more readily become confused about whom to obey. Focus on a single person is always more efficient.
Patience and consistency are essential. Dogs don’t spontaneously understand the usefulness of ‘come’ or any other human-induced behavior. Speaking harshly when the dog makes mistakes or is headstrong is typically counter-productive. Establish alpha status by firmness of voice, body posture and willingness to wait for compliance. Physical restraint or leading is less useful.
Most dogs quickly prove themselves eager to please and responsive to praise following the correct behavior. Just make sure they’re the ones ‘coming’, not you. If necessary, prove that you’re the stubborn one.
