Getting a dog to come to you
- By LAUREN THOMANN
- March 7, 2023
- Updated on 03/10/23
- Fact checked by SEAN BLACKBURN
How do you train your dog to be a good listener when you call it? To train your dog to return to you your dog must be more thrilling than everyone else! This is an essential habit that you can teach to your pet, as it can help keep your dog safe and ensures that they will take advantage of exercise on their own.

How to train a dog to come to you
A new method to train and raise your dog. It includes “”a variety of useful tips and tricks as well as fun games that improve the lives of many dogs as well as their human friends”” (Dr. Ian Dunbar vet and animal behaviorist).
Features
- Author – Zak George
- Publish date – 7 Jun. 2016
- Pages – 240 pages
- Language – English
Zak George is one of the most well-known dog trainer, best known through his YouTube channel as well as his appearances appearing on Animal Planet. The book he wrote Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Dog With Love is our pick for the best dog training guide since it offers a refreshing perspective on raising the perfect dog. The 240-page book includes all the fundamentals from potty training to pulling leashes to fighting. It also gives essential information on dog ownership, including when you should bring your pet to the vet , and how to choose the best diet for their requirements. George is a kind and welcoming approach to dog training full of tips for decoding as well as “talking with” your dog.
Zak George’s book is heavier on “how-tos” rather than on the technical training content This is the reason we chose it as the best overall. It covers a broad range of subject, and is an excellent choice for someone who is a dog’s owner for the first time or for a dog owner who’s had enough and needs an update.
Everything you should be aware of during the first months of your puppy’s existence.
Features
- Author – The Monks of New Skete
- Publish date – 4 Aug. 2011
- Pages – 336 pages
- Language – English
The arrival of a puppy is an exciting experience that’s full of love, cuddles and, yes, sleepless nights. It’s a must-have for every puppy owner who is new, The Art of Raising a Puppy is written by the Monks from New Skete, a community of loving monks who truly know what they are talking about. Each of the 352 pages is packed with knowledge about training, caring and loving for puppies because the monks draw upon their 30+ years of experience with raising German Shepherd puppies. This book will assist your puppy to adapt to their new surroundings and provide advice for every stage of a puppy’s development.
Overall, The Art of Raising a Puppy isn’t just excellently written, but the book is packed with extremely useful tips that you can refer to often.
For more than a quarter of a century pet owners have relied on this concise guide for practical, step-by step guidance on how to break the house of their pets in only one week!
Features
- Author – Shirlee Kalstone
- Publish date – 3 Aug. 2004
- Pages – 96 pages
- Language – English
If you’re having trouble housebreaking your puppy or you’re trying to potty-train a new dog you’ve adopted How to housebreak your dog within 7 days is an essential book. Written by the pet expert Shirlee Kalstone the book will aid you in training any of the “untrainable” dogs. It also includes strategies to help with all kinds of housetraining including litter training and paper training. There are suggested schedules for potty training to follow, suggestions regarding handling accidents and advice about how to help reinforce your dog.
Although housebreaking is an arduous and sometimes difficult training, Kalstone will help you teach your dog regardless of how old or is.
A useful puppy guide to introduce children (and everyone else!) to the pleasures and responsibilities that come when you bring a puppy to home. The essentials of training your dog are included right here!
Features
- Author – Colleen Pelar
- Publish date – 1 Sept. 2012
- Pages – 96 pages
- Language – English
Everybody has heard the tale of the child who asked for a puppy, but didn’t take responsibility for the new puppy. It’s a good thing you can let your child be the trainer by reading this incredibly well written book. The Barron’s book is specifically written for children and is focused on teaching them to take care of the training and care of their four-legged companion. This book will help your children master the basics of clicker training, socialization , and fitness. The 96 pages feature a lot of photos which allows children to see instead of reading a lengthy manual that is stuffed with lengthy chunks of text. It is easy to comprehend and take in, Puppy Training for Kids is ideal for middle-school youngsters and younger.
101 Dog Tricks is the largest trick book available in addition to the one to include high-quality photos of each trick as well as the steps to train it.
Features
- Author – Kyra Sundance
- Publish date – 1 April 2007
- Pages – 208 pages
- Language – English
Once you’ve got your toilet training under your belt, make sure to keep your dog’s mind active and focused by showing it tricks. 101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance is the best guide for teaching your dog every trick from the book (literally in this instance). It’s packed with color-coded guides to the 101 tricks in the book that are each rated according to a difficulty level as well as the essential “prerequisites” that your dog should be familiar with prior to. The tricks vary from the simple sit, fetch, and stay to more sophisticated (but extremely useful) “go take a drink from the refrigerator.” Beyond their usefulness in teaching your dog tricks, teaching them will keep them stimulated and active, making their lives less likely for them to cause damage around the house. If you’re looking for a single source of tricks 101 Dog Tricks is the book for you.
It is dedicated to me and my uncle Joseph who taught me an art form of training dogs over fifty years ago.
Features
- Author – Lelah Sullivan
- Publish date – 24 Sept. 2015
- Pages – 189 pages
- Language – English
Finding a service dog for your pet can be a time-consuming and costly procedure. Learning to Train Your own Service Dog by Lelah S. Sullivan is a manual to help you teach your dog how to enable him or her to become a good companion animal. Sullivan is a former service dog trainer who teaches the basics of training dogs for different disabilities. While we would recommend using an accredited service dog organization to meet your requirements, this book may assist those who need the extra help in the home but aren’t able to afford the funds to purchase an official service dog. The author has a Facebook group she frequents to get advice and suggestions.
In the end, this guide on self-training a service dog is sure to assist dogs to behave better and adhere to a variety of commands following the steps outlined by Sullivan.
The process of training the dog (and yourself) to compete in agility events will make for a great collaboration that you both take pleasure in.
Features
- Author – Laurie Leach
- Publish date – 22 Jan. 2007
- Pages – 256 pages
- Language – English
If you’re looking to train your dog for agility competitions, the beginner’s guide to dog Agility written by Laurie Leach is a great starting point. The 256-page book covers everything including how to create your own agility obstacles , to the ins and outs of clicker training. Agility contests can be enjoyable for both pet and owner and offer a stimulating bonding activity that you both take pleasure in. According to the title, this book is ideal for anyone who doesn’t have any prior experience with agility and is looking to learn more about it with their dog who is enthusiastic. Although the book is targeted towards the elite agility community however, it’s a fantastic book for anyone who is interested in exploring the world of agility.
Training a dog to come
Training your dog to be with you with just six simple steps
- There must be a reason for your dog to return with a delicious snack or a game played with toys. Give your dog the toy or the food.
- Take a few steps, then call your dog’s number and then say “come” with a warm and exciting tone. Getting low enough can motivate them to return.
- If your dog approaches you, gently grasp their collar. You can feed them a treat and let them have fun playing with their toy.
- Gradually increase how far you’re able to keep from your dog until you are able to invite your dog inside as well out garden , or between rooms.
- Invite a companion or friend to take the initiative to gently grasp your dog’s collar while another moves away from the dog and calls the dog to come over. (Don’t not forget to congratulate the dog every time it is a successful exercise.)
- When your dog is always responding to your calls in the garden and house, you are able to begin practicing in a safe outdoor space. Long leads for training can be useful for training recall outside , since they offer your dog some space but not giving them total freedom at this point.
Extra tips
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Do not call unless you are planning to praise your dog. Do not make a call to your dog only to berate them as this will make them less likely to call back next time you call.
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Do not only ask your dog to get them back on their lead and they'll quickly form an connection and will be reluctant to return.
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While practicing this command on walks, make sure you bring your pet's favorite toys and treats with you to treat him each time you return.
6 foolproof ways to get Your Dog to come When It's Called
"Come" is perhaps the most crucial command you can impart to your dog since it could save your pet's life. Dogs are often distracted and their curiosity can lead them to life-threatening situations such as traffic that is coming towards them. If your dog is rushing at the edge of danger you want them to react to your voice more than everything other things.
This is when "come" can be a real lifesaver. It's an essential command, however difficult to teach since there's a lot that can cause your dog to lose focus. It's definitely worth the effort as a good recall can prevent your dog from being involved in an entanglement or running across the street, or even being threatened by wild animals such as an or raccoon. It's also crucial for a safe excursion at the park for dogs or other experience off leash.
Recall Games
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Take Me Out: While walking your dog on a leash Get the attention of your pet after which you turn around to walk a couple of steps. When your dog is moving alongside you and you are walking, tell them "come!" or another verbal reminder. After a couple of steps you can stop and reward your dog by giving them a reward or toy. Before you go for a run to your next destination, ensure your dog is watching to make sure the leash isn't pulling at them.
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Find Me When your dog is getting knack of recall it is possible to increase velocity by calling your dog from a different room. When your dog spots you, be sure to give many praises and reward. This game that is similar to hide and seek can be a lot of fun for dogs and humans!
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Hot Potato: Gather two or more of your family members or close friends and provide them with delicious treats of high value. Then, you must stand aside and alternately calling your dog to each other. Give your dog a treat every time they approach the person who called them.
One common mistake in training is to remind your dog to put the leash on and then go back home. Dogs are likely to see recall as an indication that the fun is over which could mean they are less likely to return to you in the future. One method to practicing recall is to be awed, and then give them an incentive, and then release your pet and let them go back to what they did prior to.
The Bottom Line
Recall might make it the top lesson to teach your pet. Being sure that your dog is 100% trustworthy whenever you need him may be lifesaving. Make sure you teach him the right way to ensure that he'll follow both in the home and outside. Keep it consistent, remain positive, and keep promoting the behavior you desire and you'll start seeing positive results.
Train dog to come to you — FAQ
Give yourself treats and then sit at a distance of a few feet to your pup. Make your cue sound and then immediately reward and praise when your dog does respond. If you are being ignored and your dog does not show up when you call and you are not sure if they will come, offer the leash an easy tug toward your direction to get your dog to follow.
The reasons why your dog might not be paying attention could be due to medical issues However, the majority of times the time, if your dog does not talk to you or is completely unresponsive It is due to an issue with training or a behavior problem. If you’ve identified any possible illness by training and conditioning, your dog will help improve his recall abilities.
Then, give your dog a toy , or a treat, then praise them when they approach you, and then give them a treat. After a few times when your dog is looking at you and then begins to walk toward you, you can add the appropriate verbal signal (“come,” “here,” or. ).
There must be a reason to motivate your dog to return with a delicious snack or an exciting game played with toys. Bring your pet that toy, or even food. Take a few steps, then call your dog’s name . Say “come” with a warm exuberant tone. down low could also motivate the dog to return.
Avoid loud sounds or call out to your dog. Be calm and keep a calm body language. Avoid direct eye contact. Try Albrecht’s relaxing and attractive technique using an ice-crinkly food bag (like the potato chip bag) and the soft, delicious sweet treat.
There are a variety of reasons dogs do not show up upon being called are confusion, disorientation or fear. Positive reinforcement and gradual training can help you create a solid recall, so your dog will be there when you call.