how do i make my dog come to me?

Question

if i say 'come' he comes but he never actually comes to my hand so i can never leash him up. also, if there is another dog he won't even bother listening to me. what can i do? this might get out of control when he gets older.

Answer 1

First off, don't let your dog off the leash if he won't come back to you!! He could run into a street or get attacked by another dog and you'd be unable to catch him in time.

As for training him to come, get a good long leash (a retractable 16-foot leash is good for this excersice, or any long leash.. not just the 4 or 6-foot ones) and a pocket full of a healthy, tasty treat. Take him outside with the leash on and let him walk around. When his attention is not on you, call him by saying his name followed by "Come" or whatever word you wish to use for this command. If he doesn't come to you, gently pull him toward you. Don't pull so hard as to choke him, just keep gentle pressure on the lead to show him you want him to come towards you. Once he's in front of you have him sit then give him a treat and lots of praise. Always make him sit before giving him the treat, so he knows he's supposed to come to you and STAY instead of just popping in for a snack before dashing off again. Keep repeating this until he comes and sits on his own. Don't get discouraged if he doesn't take off and do it within two or three times.. some dogs take longer, while others grasp it right away. Also, don't keep working him over and over.. he'll get tired of it and just start ignoring you. Keep training sessions short.. 10 minutes of training followed by 10-15 minutes of play work well. But never, ever let him off the leash until you KNOW he will come every time you call him especially if there are other animals around or a road nearby. And be prepared the first time you try this off-leash, because he may try to run from you anyway once he realizes he's "free". So for the first few times, make sure you are in a fenced-in area. Gradually work up to areas with distractions and no fences. And keep practicing even once he's "got it" or he may forget and revert back to his old ways. Dogs love their owners, and they especially love treats! They'll do anything for either of them, but they have to be taught what these alien words such as "come", "sit" and "stay" mean. So just use patience and lots of praise and he'll be coming to you in no time.

Answer 2

There are 3 basic commands every dog should know, come, sit, stay. Quick training can be done with an electric collar. This is not cruel. But it uses pain to punish. Using love and rewards is better. Both work. Love just takes longer. So, seriously consider getting a book on dog training or training for your particular breed.
One method is to get some plastic fencing, about 20 yards, and some stakes. Fencing should be at least 2 feet high. Stake it out making a straight path about 2 or 3 feet wide and 10 yards long. Get a helper. Tell the dog to "sit". Have him on leash. Stand next to him. Say "Sit". Bend down and gently (GENTLY) touch him on the back, just above the hind quarters. Don't push. Say it again, touch again and this time push gently. Keep it up until he sits. Give praise. For treats, you can get some meat,cut it into small pieces, freeze them and take a few pieces in a plastic bag when you're going to a training session. Give him a treat.
Now, while he is sitting, slowly walk away. When you walk away, say "stay". Watch him very carefully. As soon as you see him start to move toward you, squat down and say "Come". The idea is for him to begin associating movement toward you with the word "come". Now go back and repeat. You're trying to get further and further away without him moving. As you move away, put up your hand, palm toward him and say "stay". When he moves, squat and say "come". Repeat the word "come" as he is coming toward you. If you have been able to move 5 or more feet away, when he is trotting toward you, slap your knee and be enthusiastic when you say "come".
These are exercises which you should perform for about 10 to 15 minutes no more than 3 times and no less than once each day. It may take a couple weeks. Just remember that this is time well spent and will pay dividends over the years you will have the dog. Give him lots of praise when he does something right. Ignore him when he does something wrong.
When at first he begins to move before you get more than a step or two away, say nothing, simply bend down, pick him up and take him back and sit him down. Say "sit" when you put him down. Say "stay" with your hand out, when you move away. If he stays, say "good boy/girl/Fido". Repeat as necessary. It shouldn't take over two,, maybe 3 weeks to get him to the point where he will sit, stay and come on command. Good luck.

Answer 3

Start off with a long leash. Let him go away from you, and say COME. If he doesn't come, give a tug on the leash, and say it again. Be firm, but not abusive. Have a treat ready when he does come. He must learn who is the boss, and it looks as if you are having trouble displaying it. Try having him on the leash in the house as well. If he comes a few times in a row, let him off the leash and try it. Again if he doesn't come, put him back on the leash, and try again. He will eventually get it!! Good luck!!

Answer 4

My dog never used to come on command, but using this technique he now does. Hope it helps:
In a quiet room (I used the lounge) ask you dog to sit.
Stand facing him with your arm outstretched and palm facing him.
Say his name followed by come.
He should come and investigate you; and as soon as his nose touches your palm give him lots of praise and a treat.
Repeat this a few times, until he realises that come means touch your hand and he gets a treat.
Next it's time to use the Technique whilst playing hide and seek:
Ask your dog to sit and wait while you hide in another room in the house.
Say his name and come (make sure your arm is outstretched with the palm in a position where he can touch it).
When he finds you and touches your hand praise and treat.
Repeat this often, and never forget to treat him.
Eventually you can try this method outside.

A dog often will come to realize that come means the end of whatever fun he is having, as he will be put on lead. Use the come command when out; praise and treat him, and then let him go and play again. Two treats for the price of one!

This will take time and patience but I can assure you it works a treat! Good luck

Answer 5

Try using classic condition by Skinner and Pavlov, they knew what they were doing, and you probably will have to remove the other dog for now, till your dog has the skill down pat.

Answer 6

Whenever you call him have treat ready for him in your hand..you need patience as this needs to be done several times..eventually he will associate coming to you with the treat and will do it every time.

Answer 7

I hollow Come In Now and they usually do. Then I will sometimes bribe them by saying hurry dogie biscuit. They have me trained. They want it right then. One of them love bananas. So far they haven't bothered him.

Answer 8

Have a treat in your hand when you call him.

Answer 9

HOLD A PIECE OF MEAT IN YOUR HAND, LET HIM SEE IT AND SAY, "COME". IT WORKS EVERY TIME!