"Here boy!", "Come-On" and the numerous other commands (requests?) designed to bring your dog quickly to you are fine—once "Come!" is immediately obeyed."Here Boy!" and "Come-On" mean fun; "Come!" means business and your dog must learn that there is no alternative to obedience. Let's get started.

Two things are required for a dog to learn a command. First, she needs to know what to do and second, she needs a good reason for doing it.

In order to teach her what to do, (i.e. train dog to come) I'll need her undivided attention so we'll go to a place with minimal distractions; a quiet room in your house or the back yard are perfect.

Put Gracie on her lead (*If you haven't introduced her to collar and lead yet, spend some time getting her accustomed to those before proceeding.), stand upright in front of her and command "come"; say it with authority but do not yell or scold. You may also preface the command with her name in order to get her attention, i.e. "Gracie, come!" with the emphasis on the command. Of course she will not do it.

Now it's time to get creative. Tug on the lead a bit or walk backwards while commanding "Gracie, come!" As soon as she begins to respond lavish her with praise in your best "What a good, good doggy-woggy!" voice while petting her enthusiastically. Make Gracie feel like she just brought you the winning lotteryticket. Your praise will be her best reason for learning to come on command.

Repeat the process after increasing the distance between you and your dog. After she's completed her task successfully, praise her lavishly and stop for now. Increase the time you spend on learning the command until she obeys off-lead and comes to you from the other side of the room or across the yard.

Your Train Your Dog to Come--Finishing Touches.

When you're confident your dog knows how to obey the 'come' command begin using it when she isn't expecting it. Call her to you while watching television or when the two of you are doing something unrelated to dog training. Have other family members or friends call her—but be sure you're there to supervise.

Remember; this needs to be fun for both of you. If you get impatient or angry, just walk away. If your dog seems unresponsive, uninterested or bored, stop—but only after a successful "Come!" (fake it if you have to!).

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Train Your Dog to Come--Bonus!

Hunting dog trainers often have to communicate with dogs that are beyond vocal range and they do it with hand signals. As your dog gets good at coming on command raise your hand, open palm, straight up in the air (like Superman preparing to stop a sppeding bullet with his bare hand!). It will take a while for her to link the visual signal to the verbal command but once she does you'll be one step closer to owning the coolest dog in the neighborhood.

I hope this article has opened you eyes to the importance of the 'come' command and given you the confidence to teach it to your dog. Keep in mind that there are only two things you can do to screw it up; get angry and punish your dog, or nor teach her the command at all. Happy training to you and please; spay or neuter your dog!