5 Easy Tips to Train a Dog to Come When Called
By: David Codr
Published Date: March 14, 2018
For this Omaha dog training session, we worked with Takota, a 6-month-old German Indian Dog. Takota’s guardians set up this training session to learn how to train a dog to come when called and stop some common, unwanted dog behaviors.
Takota has been chewing on his guardian’s things, playing too rough with their other dog, and ignoring recall commands.
What Kind of Temperament Does a German Indian Dog Have?
German Indian dogs can look intimidating, but they are usually a super friendly, playful breed. Takota was no exception. He came right up to me to say “hi,” nuzzled on my leg a bit then let me come in without any jumping.
A German Indian Dog is a cross between a Native American Indian Dog and a German Shepherd. This breed is also known as a Native American Village Dog.
These dogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and trainability. While they make excellent family pets, they can be cautious around strangers.
German Indian Dogs are known for being loving and loyal. They form strong bonds with their guardians and are very protective of their families. This makes them great companions for both individuals and families.
When I sat down, I noticed Takota didn’t show much respect for personal space and was kind of pushy about a few toys. I started off by showing his guardians how to play fetch with him, since he liked to retrieve and bring the toy back, he just didn’t like to drop it.
After showing Takota’s guardians how to make him drop things, we talked about his daily exercise. We connected this to his chewing on rugs, counter surfing, and playing too roughly with their small Yorkie, Moose.
I explained that when Takota was chewing the rug or getting into “trouble” they should interpret that as him saying “I need more exercise. Let’s go out for a game of fetch.”
I also suggested the family keep an exercise journal for a week. They should write down any behavior problems and when they happened. This will help everyone see how often Takota needs exercise. And it gives them a chance to provide it before he gets into trouble.
How to Train a Dog to Come When Called
Next up I wanted to show the guardians a crucial dog training lesson; how to train a dog to come when called.
Teaching a dog to come when called is pretty easy if you follow the steps outlined in the video above. The benefit of these positive dog training exercises is that they help both humans and dogs practice every day.
Training a dog to come when called requires consistency and positive reinforcement. It also helps to know common mistakes that can make recall harder.
One main reason dogs might ignore recall commands is that they link them to bad experiences. For example, humans may call them inside when they’re having fun outside. To address this, you can use passive training.
Passive training is an effective way to shape a dog’s behavior by rewarding desirable actions as they naturally occur. The key principle is that any behavior reinforced with attention or affection will become more frequent.
For example, petting a dog when they jump up will encourage this behavior. However, rewarding them only when all four paws are on the ground teaches them to stay calm.
Consistency and timing are crucial, with a three-second window being ideal for reinforcing good behavior. By recognizing and rewarding a dog’s voluntary actions—such as sitting, lying down, or coming when called—guardians can instill commands effortlessly.
Additionally, naming toys and consistently using the same words for actions help reinforce learning. Over time, the dog will proactively perform desired behaviors, understanding that they lead to positive attention.
This approach prevents unintentional reinforcement of bad habits, making training a seamless part of everyday interactions.
The goal is to make coming to the guardian more rewarding than anything else. This will help ensure reliable recall, even in tough situations.
Additional Tips for Teaching a Dog to Come When Called
When working with a dog that struggles with recall, I often suggest changing the command word. By using a fresh recall word like “here” instead of the overused “come,” guardians can improve responsiveness. This creates a clean slate, allowing the dog to learn the recall cue without any prior confusion.
Avoiding repeated commands and incorporating engaging body language, sounds, and treats can make recall more effective. Gradually practicing in different environments, starting indoors before introducing outdoor distractions, helps reinforce the behavior.
The exercise above combined with passive training and a new word should produce a dog who comes when called every time.
To help the guardians remember the other dog behavior tips I shared in this in-home dog training session, I shot a roadmap to success video that you can check out below.
Want to Train a Dog to Come When Called? Click Here to Book a SessionCategorized in: Dog Behavior