Most Important Command

There are so many commands and tricks you can teach your dog but the #1 command your dog should know with 100% efficacy, is ‘come’. That's right! Not 'sit' or 'stay' but 'come'.

Whether your dog attends daycare or not, 'come' can keep your dog safe in MANY different scenarios like:

• Bolting out the front door

• You lost grip of the leash on a walk

• They jumped out of the car

• They are about to chase a squirrel into the busy street

• Approaching a dog that is NOT friendly

• Playing with a dog and the energy is escalating too quickly (daycare)

• Approaching dangerous item or environment (Shattered glass in the kitchen or a cliff/drop off or rushing river while on a hike)

• Gate to the backyard was left open,

• Your dog is about to eat something poisonous or dangerous

Result: When you say, '[dog's name] + 'come', your dog should immediately halt what they are doing and return quickly. 

Step-by-step process for achieving a 100% efficacy for 'COME'!

Equipment needed: patience, high reward treat (i.e. chicken), and long leash

1. Keep it simple in the beginning. Start inside your home with minimal distractions. With a long leash on your dog, walk away from your dog, call their name and say 'come' in an excited voice. As soon as your dog comes, give it a treat.  If they don't come, use the leash to direct them towards you. Try this in multiple rooms and at at greater and greater distances. Once this is achieved, try to do this without the leash. Go into a separate room from your dog, call their name and say come. If your dog comes quickly and 100% of the time, it's time to move to step 2.

2. Do these similar steps above but outside. The outdoors has more sights and smells that can be distracting to your dog so be sure to have the long leash securely on them and within your hand. Practice in your backyard, front yard, at the park and then the dog park (in this order).  If they don't come, use the leash to direct them toward you. If your dog comes quickly and 100% of the time, go to a fenced/secured area and leave the leash on them but drop the leash from your hand.  Practice these steps and if your dog comes quickly and 100% of the time, it time to move to step 3.  

3. Continue to practice 'come' at your front door, your back gate, your car or other high trigger areas with a long leash attached to your dog but drop the leash from your hand. If your dog comes quickly and 100% of the time, you have achieved the command of come!  Congrats!  

Remember: Training should be done consistently and often. It should also always be sweet and short but most of all...FUN!