training to come

[Tonka's Mom]

How do you train a puppy to come when called

[jdog]

A lead, treats and praise.
Use treats at first combined w/ praise, then use praise. Train when your pup has an empty stomach- food becomes very motivating. Make her work for it. Then switch it up, You don't want your pup just thinking that it will get a treat everytime.
If you see reluctance or rebellion, give a little nudge on the lead. If they don't come when called, real her back in. Never repeat the word "come" more than twice, or you'll wear out the word. They'll think that after you've said it 6 times, then they can come. Once in a pleasant tone, if no response: once more in a stern tone and real her in. Then start over. The goal is to "come" on first command. If they do, lots of praise.
Extend the lead after they "get it" at a short distance. Practice & Repeat everyday.

[Snowshoe]

Your puppies, based on your siggy, are too old for my method but I'll put it here anyway just in case you are contemplating a new addition? Or it's for someone else?

Pups must be as young as possible for this to work as it depends on them being at that stage where they just want to be with you and do not have the confidence to stray far.

Walk around your yard, when pup gets a bit too far for his own comfort (likely only a few feet) and comes running back to you yell out COME while he is on his way. This is called Contiguity Training on Natural Behaviours. You are just assigning a name to what he is doing anyway, on his own.

When pup gets to you scoop him up, praise like mad, treat if you want but you don't need treats for this method and I don't like to use them if I don't have to. Pup's reward at getting back to you is his immense relief at being safely back with you and that is an extremely powerful reward.

Your own yard will soon become familiar to pup so then you up the ante by hiding behind a tree or building corner. You can also run away. You can start calling COME while you hide or run away.

This will work even better if you have safe places you can go off leash and do the same thing in new places. I am lucky to live in a rural area and took my pups to county forests and trails where few other dogs went (vaccination worry) and there were no roads. There must be no other people or dogs with you, not even your own other dog. Pup must learn you are his sole support in the big, potentially scary new world.

I started my pups as soon as I got them at 8 weeks old and I am confident they knew COME at 10 weeks old. I practised this outside on every pee break, so you can guess how many times a day that was. I play the hide behind a tree game and running away all their lives.

[Tonka's Mom]

Originally Posted by Snowshoe

Your puppies, based on your siggy, are too old for my method but I'll put it here anyway just in case you are contemplating a new addition? Or it's for someone else?

Pups must be as young as possible for this to work as it depends on them being at that stage where they just want to be with you and do not have the confidence to stray far.

Walk around your yard, when pup gets a bit too far for his own comfort (likely only a few feet) and comes running back to you yell out COME while he is on his way. This is called Contiguity Training on Natural Behaviours. You are just assigning a name to what he is doing anyway, on his own.

When pup gets to you scoop him up, praise like mad, treat if you want but you don't need treats for this method and I don't like to use them if I don't have to. Pup's reward at getting back to you is his immense relief at being safely back with you and that is an extremely powerful reward.

Your own yard will soon become familiar to pup so then you up the ante by hiding behind a tree or building corner. You can also run away. You can start calling COME while you hide or run away.

This will work even better if you have safe places you can go off leash and do the same thing in new places. I am lucky to live in a rural area and took my pups to county forests and trails where few other dogs went (vaccination worry) and there were no roads. There must be no other people or dogs with you, not even your own other dog. Pup must learn you are his sole support in the big, potentially scary new world.

I started my pups as soon as I got them at 8 weeks old and I am confident they knew COME at 10 weeks old. I practised this outside on every pee break, so you can guess how many times a day that was. I play the hide behind a tree game and running away all their lives.

She was already 3 months old when I got her. I have had her for a month. I have tried treats with out leash, but I am going to try it. Thank you. I wish i could have gotten her when she was younger, but the breeder wouldn't let her go.

[colleeb]

When I put whiskey outside for a pee (we have afenced in back yard) and know he is getting into something and want him to come in,I sing in my highest friendly voice "TREATY TIME" and he will come running I make him sit and I will give him just a little tiny treat. Im sure the neighbors think Im nuts.When I have taken him on walks i have dropped the leash in an area that is safe and have just kept walking if he doesnt come I have just called his name and started running and he will follow.

[jdog]

Originally Posted by Snowshoe

Pups must be as young as possible for this to work as it depends on them being at that stage where they just want to be with you and do not have the confidence to stray far.

I agree and I have used this method before and it's been effective. However, alot depends on the dog as well. Not all dogs "just want to be with you" all the time. As you probably well know, some labs are very prey driven and can go off running into the woods for 20 minutes no matter how much rattle bags of dog food and shout in your "friendly voice" for them to come back.

I would reccomend the lead method if you find your dog is stubborn or testing you, which will probably come anyway when she hits about 5-6 months or so. Good luck

[Rocky911]

i agree, when actually working on the command "come" (or whatever you use) use a lead. I have heard with puppies (8wks) you do not always need a lead but at 12+wks I wouldn't take the chance, and when we were in "training mode" i use a long line to reinforce the command.

Basically, the more you say the command and the puppy ignores, the less it will work in the future. You need to set the dog up to always succeed.

[nmaho]

Make it a game for the pup get 2 people both with treats and each go to different sides of the yard and 1 person would yell (name) come and when he comes give him the treat and repeat with person on other side of yard.