How to Teach a Puppy to Come

When it comes to training a puppy, your instruction should seem like a game. This will keep your puppy interested and lessen the time it will take for him to learn commands. You can start teaching your puppy to come at a very young age.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Puppy treats
• Another person

1. Break up the treats into small pieces. This game can last a long time and you do not want to overdose your puppy on treats. She will not care how small the pieces are as long as she keeps "earning" them, so do not worry about the bites being too small to entice her.

2. Take the puppy and the other person into a quiet area. This can be a room in the house or you can do it in an enclosed yard. There should be as little distraction as possible at first, although later you will want to add in distractions so that your puppy learns to obey under any circumstances.

3. Hold the puppy in your lap or in front of you. This gives him a starting point to come from. You will probably both need to sit on the floor.

4. Have the other person call the puppy by saying "Come, (puppy's name), come!" While the person is calling, he should show the puppy the treat to entire her to head in that direction. She will probably run right over. When she gets there, give her the treat and praise her.

5. Call the puppy back using the same command. When he gets to you, give him a small treat and lots of praise. You can repeat this game indefinitely until the dog or you get tired. He will quickly get the idea and begin to respond even when you do not have a treat to offer.

Tips & Warnings

• Puppy training classes are also a good idea to teach your dog basic commands and obedience.