Come Command

[mblab]

Hi all! Zoë and I have been in puppy class for 5 weeks now. In class this week the trainer was discussing the "come" command. I never thought about it but she suggested using a word for the command that will not be used in common conversation. So for instance, I know I use the word come a LOT during the day, even when talking to Zoë when I DO NOT mean for her to come to me.

So I've been trying to think of a word to use instead of come, as this is one of the few commands that could be life saving. My first thought was using the spanish version of come, "aqui" or some other language's equivalent. But I don't want to limit myself. I didn't know if anyone else uses another word instead of come or had any ideas??? Thanks!

-Vicky and Zoë

[teri88]

Wow, that is a great suggestion, I never thought of that. Tucker will (usually) come when I tell him to. Outside he doesn't wear a leash and if he is starting to wander or doesn't come inside when I'm going in, I have this certain tone of voice I use and say "get over here you" and he comes every time. But, I'm sure that's not what you are looking for! I think aqui is a great idea.

[mblab]

Originally Posted by teri88

Wow, that is a great suggestion, I never thought of that. Tucker will (usually) come when I tell him to. Outside he doesn't wear a leash and if he is starting to wander or doesn't come inside when I'm going in, I have this certain tone of voice I use and say "get over here you" and he comes every time. But, I'm sure that's not what you are looking for! I think aqui is a great idea.

When I asked my Mom about this she basically said the same thing. She was like "well when I went Sherry to come I just use a very stern tone of voice" and then she tried to give examples of how she'd say it in different scenarios.

Zoë's just so small I'd hate for something to happen to her by accident, partly because of my own fault. Sigh... I thought it'd be cute to come up with some catchy/cutesy term. The trainer gave the example of a Labradoodle named Sonic that they owners used the word Boom, so they'd say "Sonic, Boom!". That's cute, I thought I'd try to use my creative hat a bit but I'm not coming up with anything other than aqui.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Originally Posted by teri88

Wow, that is a great suggestion, I never thought of that. Tucker will (usually) come when I tell him to. Outside he doesn't wear a leash and if he is starting to wander or doesn't come inside when I'm going in, I have this certain tone of voice I use and say "get over here you" and he comes every time. But, I'm sure that's not what you are looking for! I think aqui is a great idea.

Ditto, I think that I tend to use a different voice when I tell them "come". I know that when they are being stubborn, I have stared at them and made eye contact and pointed to my eyes and said come. This works and they come. I've got hubby doing the same thing as Hot Rod gives him a really hard time with come.

[Cherylt8]

I too must of overdone...overused the word come.... Now I say come see... she is curious then and thinks I have something interesting .. so she comes to me that way. Not sure if this is right but it seems to work with us.

[harleysmamma]

Maybe instead of a vocal command you can make a certain sound?....My dogs come when I ask, but I always pair the come command with a whistle. I'm guessing that my dogs associate the sound of me whistling rather than just me saying the command. To test my theory - I just now tried whistling (without a command) and lo and behold the two came galloping around the corner. hahahaha.

[yorkiepuppie]

Originally Posted by mblab

Hi all! Zoë and I have been in puppy class for 5 weeks now. In class this week the trainer was discussing the "come" command. I never thought about it but she suggested using a word for the command that will not be used in common conversation. So for instance, I know I use the word come a LOT during the day, even when talking to Zoë when I DO NOT mean for her to come to me.

So I've been trying to think of a word to use instead of come, as this is one of the few commands that could be life saving. My first thought was using the spanish version of come, "aqui" or some other language's equivalent. But I don't want to limit myself. I didn't know if anyone else uses another word instead of come or had any ideas??? Thanks!

-Vicky and Zoë

is the trainer asking you to pick a different word so that in an emergency you can use that word and your puppy will come to you for sure 100% of the time? is that the reason?
i overuse the "come" command as well. but i agree with the person that side it has to do with tone of voice. because when we are outside, and if i am really scared about her running away from me and into danger, i will say come really loudly and really intensely (and probably a little bit of panic) and milu will always respond to that.
you can always teach the "down" command as well, and practice it with your puppy when she is running around. because the 'come' command takes many steps, your dog has to stop, maybe turn around and then come towards you. that's 3 steps, and in an emergency, that's a lot to remember. but the down command is just one step, so it's easier for the dog to do when in an emergency. then after the puppy is down, you can ask her to come to you.

[Breezeaway]

I use Here or Heel.