Teaching the "Come" Command

[murfsmom]

My 8 month old male has been thru beginner obedience and Canine Good Citizen and has done well. He comes when he is on a leash fine, but when I take him for a run in the field and call him, he looks at me and runs in the other direction. Any advice? thanks!

[moondog]

When he looks at you, YOU run the other direction! I'll bet he comes running :D

[Judi W]

Don't expect a pup or adult dog for that matter to be reliable on commands after a single class. Beginner is exactly that. Not "finished" obedience, but "beginner" obedience.:D

Count on several years of classes for a consistently obedient dog.

[Darseeuh]

Get one of those really long retractable leads that way he can run but you still have control. I did this with just a really long rope till Pookie was about a year that way he wasn't ever able to not obey. I also brought a fav. treat with me for awhile too so whenever he came without me having to yank on him first he got a treat. :D

[ellak]

I think that "come" is probably the hardest command of them all since you don't know when it becomes reliable. However, some things may be done to earn the assurance that the dog will obey, even if it's some day in the future.
"Come" command should not be used for any sort of reprimand or for anything unpleasant - like nail clipping or brushing, or whatever else he might dislike. If you used it before for these purposes, you should change the verb for this command. The dog must know that when "come" is executed, it's time for something that he/she likes. I started out with giving food. I know he likes big freshly baked bones. So, when one is ready, I say "come' and he runs like the wind towards me. Now, he knows that when I say come it could be either a bone, going for a walk or play time. And again, he runs like the wind.