Teaching your dog to respond to the "Come" command is absolutely crucial for both of you. You have to realize that you must have this control for his well being and, because he most likely wants to be with you anyway, the "Come" command can be an easy one to teach. Because you have already developed a trusting relationship with your little guy, he is eager to please you.



If your dog has been adopted or previously trained by another owner prior to a safe relationship being established, then this process may be a bit more difficult. But you must realize that your dog needs your guidance and, no matter how far away he is from you, he needs to understand that he must obey your "Come" command whenever it is given.

We all know that dogs love to bound around, run like the wind and be boisterous in their behavior. So training him to "Come" will undoubtedly require the use of a long line attached to his collar. Allow him to drag the line, call his name and immediately say "Come." He may not respond. In that case, simply give a gentle but firm tug on the line and repeat the command. Once he understands what you require, you can utilize a leash instead of the long line. Eventually, you will be able to remove the leash and he will eagerly respond to your "Come" command. Every dog is different so don't be discouraged if this takes more than one day to accomplish. Be patientit may take a week.

Controlling your dog's behavior should never be harsh or painful. Using the word "No" is another command that can be taught in a gentle manner. He has to understand the association between the word "No" and any unwanted behavior. A great method of teaching him this new command is to attach a long line to his collar and place some food in the area where you are training. Of course, he's going to run to the food. Once he does this, say the word "No" and give a light correction on the line. He now has an association.

Your dog will quickly learn to associate the word "No" with negative behavior and you will no longer have to depend on correcting him in order to achieve success in this area. He will show his love and trust for you by being obedient.

Incorrect behavior after training is not that uncommon. You dog could simply be confusedor he could be testing you. Just be gentle but consistent. Every dog is a bit different and will respond in a different manner to commands. Above all, keep your sessions short and exercise patience. Treat him to some free time afterwardstoss a ball, go for a long walk together, and just have fun. Give him lots of pats and praise. You will be rewarded with a bonded friendship that will last forever.