What do you do when your dog chooses not to "come"?

[Sarah and Joplin]

8 times out of 10, (in the house only at this early point in puppyhood) Joplin will come when called. Other times she stares at me or sometimes will even back away when I call her. I'm not sure what the best move is here. By simply giving up am I not properly showing "who's boss" for lack of a better word? Sometimes I pick her up and say "Come!" and carry her where I want her to come to (hence the reason I think she backs away every so often). Just wondering what you all have done in this scenario, I don't want to make it worse so that she chooses to come 0 times out of 10! :) Thanks in advance for your advice!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was always taught that you go and get the dog, give a correction and then make it come by using the leash or collar. That said sometimes it's easier said than done.

[Kyoko]

What Charlie's trainer said for us to do is that create positive association with dog's name. So to practice good recall, we did call its name --> kibbles, call its name --> kibbles, meaning that call the dog's name and give him/her a piece of kibble.
So, not necessary to let him/ her know who is the boss, but your dog will learn that when his/her name is called, something good happens so he / she will choose to come. I think even when you start to get a good recall, if there are distructions like noise, moving object, etc... your dog may regress a little. Good luck with the training!! I think recall is most important for their safety!!!

[Adina P]

Other than going to GET the dog...there's not much you can do in the moment that will increase your 8/10 ratio of coming when called in the future. Except for a return to strict training.

As someone who keeps doing it wrong but knowing the 'right' thing to do...it is my opinion that refusing to come should simply not be an option except for the dog that has proven himself worthy of that trust. If your dog only comes 8 out of 10 times he knows it is optional...he mostly chooses the option, but knows that he doesn't really have to. In such a situation, if you want to improve that ratio, I suggest:

1) Keeping a long line on him at all times so you can reel him in.
2) Never calling him with his "come" command except when you are completely sure he'll respond correctly.
3) When you're not completely sure, don't use the come command (especially at home). Instead just lure him back inside some other way (bag of treats, a game, etc.).

Not coming when called usually indicates 'not done training' and/or a 'hole' in your training.

[Linda and Murphy]

As always, great response Adina.

[BG and Gavin]

I have read that we spend more time training them not to come by reinforcing that it is optional, than actually training them to come. I too had issues, especially calling our guy in from the back yard to the door. If he refused to come and I tried to go get him, he would run and it turned into a chase game. So I tried not to use "come" when I couldn't enforce it. But it was too late, so I had to change my command to "ok let's go" and start again with the super positive outcomes when he came. I also would run the other direction or go hide and begin by using the command only when he was on his way. Gavin is a year old and very reliable both in the house and in the yard - dog park and under heavy distraction is still shaky. So again I try not to use the magic words unless he is already coming toward me. I think it takes a long time and is probably one of the most difficult commands to get 100%. Good luck. I wish I had have been a little less lazy early on.

[Wendy and Eddie]

In my puppy class, the trainer recommended deciding on what we would use for a "non-negotiable" signal, one that the dog would HAVE to follow each and every time. She uses "Come Here", b/c it's easier to lift your voice and sound more enticing, if you will, when you say "here." However, she said never to use that command unless the dog has no option of NOT obeying. So I only used it at first when my dog was on a lead and I could pull him to me if necessary. Now I practice it off lead, but not around major distractions. And if my dog doesn't come right away, we practice several times before going on to something else.

For other occasions, she recommended using their name or some other signal, for when you'd like them to come to you, but you aren't in training mode. So I call my dog's name, or use "inside" if I want him to come inside, but I don't feel like having it be a training moment.

I'd also recommend tethering your dog to you with a leash. I did that when my puppy was young, for quite a few months I think, so my dog didn't get the idea it really had a choice. Puppies for Dummies has good info on tethering.

[F, Calla & Luca]

We did something similar. All calling, come, let's go hurry up etc. is somewhat casual. Here means business and you must obey--at least that's the theory.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here Here! DH does the come vs. here but this confuses me let alone the dogs. Now I understand. He used to help train dogs about 25 years ago and he tried to explain this to me. He does change his voice with come vs. here. I didn't buy it--but now that you put it a different way--it's all okay now! LOL Shhhh don't tell.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, when I say here I'm sure the neighbors even know I mean business : )

[Wendy and Eddie]

I should add that my dogs did learn pretty darn quickly they do have a choice once I stopped tethering them. Training is an ongoing process!! :-)

[Sarah and Joplin]

Wow, what a load of excellent advice! I think I can definitely take a little bit of everything to make my strategy much better. In response to what several of you had said, I was thinking the same thing... its hard to make "Come" sound like a very exciting thing to do. And it probably sounds less exciting as I grow frustrated if she doesn't come. ;) Thanks guys!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My trainer says we overuse the word "COME" with our dogs. She says to use come only when we really mean it and always associate it with praise and even a treat. Think about how many times you say "come on" (well I do). Peri's trainer taught us to also use "Let's Go". Like if I want her to follow me, instead of saying "Peri come on", I say "Let's go". That is just my two cents in addition to the other advice. Don't overuse it!