How To Train A Puppy

Coming back when called is one of the most important things that we need to teach our puppies, if a dog comes back when called, he can be let off the lead to play and use up energy, resulting in a well-exercised pet who is calmer and easier to live with. Teaching a quick response to our calls may also save a dog’s life if he is heading for danger.

Puppy Recall Command

Begin teaching the recall as soon as you can while your puppy is still very young and is still very interested in being with you. As puppies mature and go through adolescence, their attention turns to the outside world, and it will be harder to train them to do this exercise.

1. Teach this exercise in your house and garden where your puppy can be safely off lead. Get someone to hold your puppy. Show him that you have a reward, step backwards and crouch down.
2. Ask your helper to release your puppy when you call – then call your puppy.
3. When he gets to you, reward him well with plenty of praise and a treat or game with a toy. Repeat several times, gradually increasing the distance between both of you.

Call him for things he likes, such as going for a walk, for his dinner or for play, and practice up to 20 times a day for many weeks so that this lesson is learned well.

Once your puppy has learned to come when you call, try this exercise when he is busy elsewhere in the house or garden so that he learns to come to you whatever he is doing.

FAQs

Q ‘My puppy isn’t interested in coming to me. What should I do?’

Make sure that you have something he wants. Be light-hearted, relax and have fun so that you don’t put too much pressure on your puppy. Don’t go too far away at first so that it is easy for your puppy to get to you. Try again in a quieter, less-distracting area.

Q ‘My puppy is not coming right up to me. Is he scared of me?’

Don’t pat or touch his head when he comes to you. Some shy puppies are overwhelmed by staring and calling, so try turning to the side, looking away from your puppy and calling gently. You may have tried to grab your puppy in the past and he has learned to avoid you. Be patient, hold out the treat and lure him in towards you. Stroke him gently as he eats the treat, but don’t grab him.

Puppy Training Tips For Success

Use a high-pitched, happy voice and offer him something he really wants.

When your puppy gets to you, slip a finger into his collar before feeding him the treat so that he remains with you for the next practice. Make sure that you put your hand under his head when you do this, as reaching above his head may make him back away.

Learning Handling Skills

It will take time for you to learn the handling skills needed to make the training exercises work successfully, particularly if this is your first puppy. Learning how to hold the treat, how to use it as a lure, how to hold your puppy, how to use the lead to prevent unwanted behavior and all the other skills you need takes practice, rather like learning to ride a bike. If you are new to puppy training, don’t expect to be good at it to begin with. Keep practicing and you will get better.

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