By Cathy M. Rosenthal
If you’ve ever called your dog with love in your voice — maybe even crouched down, arms open, hoping for a joyful reunion — only to watch him trot the other way or ignore you completely, don’t worry. You’re not alone.
Teaching a dog to come when called (called “recall” in dog training) is one of the most important skills you can teach, but it takes time, consistency, and a few tricks. The good news is: dogs are social. If you become the fun—the party, the source of treats, praise, or play, they’ll want to follow you.
Let’s start with the golden rule: Never use “come” as a punishment. If your dog hears “come” and thinks, “Uh-oh, something bad is going to happen,” he’ll stop responding. Instead, we want him to think: “Come = something great is about to happen!”
Start Small and Make It Fun
Begin indoors with no distractions. Say your dog’s name in a cheerful tone. Then say “Come!” and take a few steps backward or turn and walk away. Dogs naturally follow movement, so turning away and walking gives your dog something to follow.. When your dog heads toward you—even if slowly—get excited! When he reaches you, praise and reward him with a treat or toy. Make a big deal about it. You want him to think, “That was worth it!”
And here’s something important: Whenever possible, say “come” and then leave together. This means that instead of calling your dog and then staying in the same spot, you call your dog and then walk away—into the house, across the yard, back to the car. Dogs are more likely to follow when we’re moving. It also teaches them that “come” means go with me, not just run to me and stop. You’re building a habit of following, not just arriving.
Clickers, Marker Words, and Multi-Dog Households
To speed up training, you can use a clicker—a small plastic tool that makes a distinct clicking sound. The click marks the exact moment your dog does something right and helps him learn faster. It’s a simple formula: cue → behavior → click → treat. That sound tells your dog, “Yes! That’s what I wanted.”
If you don’t want to use a clicker, a marker word works just as well. A marker word is something you say (like “Bingo!”) the moment your dog does the right thing, followed by a treat. It should be something you wouldn’t normally say in everyday conversation, so your dog learns to associate that word with getting it right.
Marker words are especially helpful in multi-dog households. Each dog can have their own unique marker word—so they know whose turn it is. When I had three dogs, I used:
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“Bingo!” for one
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“Awesome!” for another
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“Yummy!” for the third
This way, everyone stayed focused, and I wasn’t surrounded by three drooling dogs every time I trained just one. Each of them learned to wait for their special word before expecting a treat, and it made group training a whole lot smoother.
A Few Final Tips
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Practice indoors first, then move outside with a long leash.
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Always reward, even if your dog took his sweet time getting there.
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Don’t overuse “come” only when something fun is ending , like leaving the park or going in the crate. Mix it into everyday routines. Call your dog before tossing a ball, before feeding dinner or giving a treat, or just to give a scratch behind the ears. That way, “come” always leads to something positive.
You can also play recall games to keep it fun. See the Top 5 Recalls Games to Make “Come” Fun below.
With time, your dog will learn that “come” means fun, treats, praise, and being close to you. He won’t come because he has to—he’ll come because he wants to.
And someday soon, your prince (or princess) will come… the moment you call.
Top 5 Recall Games to Make “Come” Fun
Teach your dog to come while keeping things playful!
1. Ping-Pong Pup
Have two people stand several feet apart. Take turns calling your dog (“Cookie, come!”), and reward her every time she trots over. Gradually increase the distance. This builds speed and excitement!
2. Hide-and-Seek
While your dog is distracted, hide behind a door, couch, or tree and call “come!” Praise and treat like crazy when she finds you. Great for building focus and fun.
3. Recall + Toss
Call your dog, and the moment she reaches you, toss her favorite ball or toy. Now “come” means the game starts with you—not ends because of you.
4. Name That Dog
If you have multiple dogs, practice recall using each dog’s name plus their marker word (e.g., “Max, come!”). Helps prevent confusion and strengthens name recognition.
5. Chase Me!
Call your dog, then turn and jog or skip a few steps away. Most dogs can’t resist chasing a moving human. When she catches up, reward with praise or a treat.
