Of course you want to keep your dog safe and one of the best ways to insure this is to teach him the command “Come”. After you have achieved a loving relationship with this delightful creature, teaching him this behavior is not going to be a difficult hardship. Your being in control of his freedom is one of the kindest things you can do for your best pal.

Having been trained by a previous owner who was intent on rushing the process can cause negative reactions if your dog has had this experience. However, once your trusting relationship with your new best friend is established, you can impress upon him the importance of him obeying the “Come” command when you give it. Of course, once your friend is off the leash, he thinks he can do whatever he wants. True. That is why you need to utilize a long line when training him to “Come.” Simply attach the line to his collar, allow it to drag, say his name and immediately follow that with “Come.” He’s probably not going to obey you so give a quick, but gentle, tug on the line and repeat the command. Continue these sessions until he understands and then transfer to a leash. Once he has mastered this behavior, simply remove the leash. Depending on your dog’s personality and prior history, this training may take a few days or up to a week.There is evidence that some people actually believe that if you tell your dog “No,” he will believe that that is his name. Not true. He must learn this command and teaching him to associate the word “No” with unwanted behavior should, of course, be done in a fair and gentle manner. Try placing a favorite treat in the training area. Attach the long line to his collar and as he approaches his treat, say the word “No” and give a tiny tug on his line. You have now paired the correction with the word “No.” Eventually, the word “No” will mean something to your dog and you will no longer need to use correction. He will obey simply because he trusts your judgment and wants to please you. Every dog is different. If your dog behaves in an incorrect manner after training, he could be confused or he could be testing you. Patience and a gentle hand is all he needs. Consistency is the name of the game. Remember to keep each session short (2 to 4 minutes) and be sure to praise him highly when he masters the new commands. And have some fun with him afterwards. Take him for a short jog or play ball in the backyard. Spending this time with him will ensure a lifetime of joy with your best pal.