The "come" command is often referred to as the recall command. It may seem like an easy command to master, but, in reality, most owners discourage their dogs from responding to the command. The method of training is completely up to you; although, there are some do's and don'ts that you can follow. The do's and don'ts are mixed up in the order they may be encountered.

Do train your dog.

Teaching your dog to respond to your commands is very important. For the safety of your dog, perhaps the most important commands include "come," "sit," and "stay." A well-trained dog is more enjoyable to be around and easier to control.

Don't try to train when he's full.

If you try to start training your pup when he is full, then he will less likely be persuaded by a reward. If you are unsure whether or not your pooch is hungry, then grab a treat and show it to him. If he shows great interest, then it is probably a good time to train.

Do consider your tone of voice.

You should always use the same tone of voice every time you say "come." Unlike "sit" and "stay," "come" can be said in a lighter tone.

Do use inviting body language.

Your body language should not contradict your tone. In other words, your body language should not tell your dog to stay away when you want him to come to you.

Do start with other commands.

It can be easier to teach your dog to come if he first knows how to sit or stay. Have him sit, and then you back up a few steps. Say "come," and reward him for coming. Repeat this two or three times. Next, place your dog in the sit position and tell him to stay. Instead of slowly backing up, turn around and walk to a place a few feet away. Say "come," and reward your dog for coming. Repeat this daily until your dog understands the command. This is just one example of recall training. There are many more ways to teach your dog to come that do not include the sit and stay position.

Do reward your dog for his good behavior.

No matter what type of training you are conducting, you should always reward your dog. The way you reward him is up to you; although, treats are very persuasive in the beginning.

Don't punish your dog when he comes.

This is the most common mistake that is made in recall training. If your dog doesn't fully understand your commands, then he is less likely to obey them. The problem arises when you call him and call him, then after the millionth call, he comes. You're pretty angry at this point, because he wasn't listening. So, you punish him. Now your dog associates responding to your call with an undesirable outcome, and he will be more likely to ignore you the next time.

Don't continue when your dog is not responding.

It's hard not to continue yelling when you can't get your dog's attention. If this is happening, then stop calling the command "come." If your dog hears it over and over (while you do nothing about it), then the command will lose it's meaning. If possible, physically retrieve your dog instead of yelling repeatedly. You may also want to consider leash training until your dog is properly able to respond to your commands.

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Don't continue rewarding your dog with treats.

Once your dog gets the hang of things, then it's time to do away with the treats. Treats should only be incentives in the beginning stages of training. After your pooch understands the commands, even though he may not be a professional yet, the treats should be replaced with a different type of reward. To figure out what should take the place of treats, then just think about what your pooch likes best. Does he enjoy a pat on the head? Does he love to retrieve a ball? These are forms of rewards, too.

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Training your pet to come is not an overly difficult task. It does, however, take time. As an owner, you should never punish your dog once he comes to you; it will only make recall training even tougher. If you pay attention to your training methods and what sort of rewards persuade your pet, then the recall command will be within your reach!

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