Puppy won’t come when called? 9 tips to get perfect recall

Teaching your dog to come when called is a great way to build a strong bond with your pup.

It’s also a great way to keep your puppy safe and sets a foundation for other commands your furry friend will need to learn.

But how do you teach your dog this critical behavior? It’s easier than you might think.

Why your dog won’t come when called

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand why your dog won’t come when called. After all, if we can identify the root cause of the problem, we can find a solution that works for you and your pup!

Let’s look at why a dog won’t come when called outside and some of the best tips for teaching your puppy to come when called. Keep reading to learn how to get a dog to come when called.

Distracted puppies

One potential issue is that your pup is too distracted by its surroundings.

Maybe it’s chasing a butterfly or playing with a new friend — whatever it is, it has captivated your puppy’s attention, and it can’t pay attention when you call. If your puppy won’t come when called, try clapping or making other loud noises that will grab your little one’s attention and make it look up at you.

Past punishment

Another possible explanation for your puppy won’t come when called is that it associates being called with punishment. Perhaps in the past, your dog was scolded or reprimanded after being summoned, so now it refuses to obey your call even if it hears you.

Instead of using a harsh tone or scolding words when calling your dog away from something enjoyable, try using high-pitched tones and phrases like “let’s go for a walk outside!” This way, instead of avoiding being summoned like before, your pup will start looking forward to hearing those words as an invitation to something special!

Fun time over?

It’s also possible that your dog doesn’t come when called because it simply thinks that means the fun times are over!

Maybe you always call your puppy away from playtime or other activities — if this is true, then no wonder it doesn’t want to listen!

Teaching your puppy to come when called

All in all, there could be several different reasons why your puppy isn’t coming when called, but solutions are available to help you and your furry friend get back on track! Consider the following tips:

Start early

The best time to start training your dog is as soon as possible.

Puppies are naturally curious and eager to learn, so you must begin with basic commands like “come” early on. That way, your little one will be more likely to understand the command when it is older.

Establish leadership

Another critical factor in the success of puppy recall is establishing yourself as a leader in your household. Dogs are pack animals and look for direction from their leader — you! If you show that you’re in charge, it will be easier for your pup to trust and obey you when you call it.

Never teach in an unenclosed area

When teaching any new command, the first rule of thumb is to always do so in an enclosed area. This could be indoors or outdoors, but the key is that it needs to be secure and fenced off from other animals or people who could distract your puppy from following through with the command. You must also ensure your pup is safe and can’t wander off if it doesn’t listen to your commands.

That being said, if you don’t have access to a secure area, using a long leash or GPS dog fence can help ensure that your puppy stays safe and follows through on the command without running off.

Start with treats

One of the most effective ways to teach your dog to come when called is by using treats as positive reinforcement. Start by calling your pup’s name and saying “come” with an upbeat tone and then reward it with a treat for coming over to you.

Do this over and over again. Every time your dog responds correctly, reward it with another treat. Do this repeatedly until your little one reacts reliably without any treats involved. However, it’s important not to overdo it; too many treats can lead to weight gain or digestive issues in dogs, so try using verbal praise to supplement food rewards. This leads us to…

Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to train your pup. Whenever it responds correctly, reward it. This doesn’t have to be only with treats — praise works also! This helps create positive associations with the command and encourages your dog to obey without fail.

Also, keep training sessions short (but sweet!) and always end on a positive note so that your pup knows that following your commands leads to good things!

Practice in different locations

Once your pup has mastered the basics of coming when called in one location, start taking it out to different places and testing its recall there too. The more locations you can practice in, your dog will be better prepared if it ever does wander off and needs to be recalled from an unfamiliar area. Additionally, try adding distractions like other people or animals into the mix so your little one can learn to stay focused on you even when other things are vying for their attention.

Be consistent

You must practice this command every day so that your pup remembers it (especially since it’ll forget things quickly!). Make sure that everyone in the house uses the same verbal cues so there aren’t any confusing mix-ups down the line.

Make it fun

Training should be an enjoyable experience for you and your dog; if it feels like a chore, neither one of you will stick with it for long! Try making games out of coming when called by hiding treats around the house or practicing outdoors in an area with plenty of distractions, like other animals or people nearby. The more fun you make learning new commands, the faster your pup will pick up on them!

Expect failure!

Not every training session will be successful — or even partially successful. Don’t get discouraged if your puppy doesn’t seem to “get it” right away; learning any new skill takes time and practice, so patience and consistency are key here. You may have days where everything goes perfectly, followed by days where nothing seems to work. Nevertheless, as long as you stay consistent with your chosen training methods, it will eventually click for your pup!

Teaching your pet to come when called doesn’t have to be complicated; all it takes is patience and consistency. Start early, use positive reinforcement methods such as verbal praise or treats, and ensure that training is fun for you and your pup. With these tips in mind, you’ll soon have a well-behaved companion who always comes running when called!