Originally posted by jennifert:
<STRONG>Dixie, That's great advice about how to teach a dog the come command but I have learned that you have to at least teach them a basic Stay command first or they will never let you walk away from them!! They'll jsut follow right along behind you as you try to walk away!!! </STRONG>
Puppies are very curious by nature and they want to explore. You do not need to put them on a stay command. What you want is to have them on the lead and let them explore. This is not a recall where you actually walk away from the dog and then call them to you. It is a COME command where the dog is away from you and you want it to come.

It may take the pup a few minutes to explore or something but eventually they will. You can be standing, kneeling, sitting, or washing the dishes for that matter. You can be watching the pup or just nonchalantly going about your business and then decide I want the pup to come to me. They can be anywhere as long as they are a distance from you. In front, on the side, behind, it doesn't matter. All you are trying to do at this point is get the dogs attention and to come when called everytime you call them. Remember you are the giver of all goods and when the dog comes it is rewarded.

In the house the lead is not really necessary as much as outside but it helps to have the dog use to it so they understand OKAY this is what we were doing before so if she does this and I do that, then I get a reward. If it makes her happy I'll do it just so I can get my reward!!!!

Doing the walk away technique can be worked on later in more formal training sessions.

I usually work with the sit and down at an early age too but this is more of a fun thing. I do come as a necessity to prevent my dogs from getting hurt.

Hope this added info helps!