[Karrie]

I agree - "come" is a command that should always be treated. Our trainer says "A dog that doesn't come is a dead dog" Yikes!!!

Having treats in hand is not always practical - so our trainer taught me to use a key word. Mine is "yes". I say "yes" to mark good behavior - at the moment it happens. Kinda like the clicker method - but I don't have a clicker - so I use my voice (its always with me!).

During the training phase, I said "yes" to every command Bailey did correctly, at the very moment she performed it. In the case of Come - say "yes" as the dog starts to head your way. (if I waited until afterwards to praise her with a treat, then she would be confused as to what she did correctly - so always mark good behavior as it happens) Once I say "yes" then I follow with a treat. "Yes" is my promise that she will get a treat. I never break that promise. The treat may be on me, or it may be in the house, or it may be in the freezer - but she ALWAYS gets a treat when I say Yes and she understands it!!!

That said, Bailey is now 2 years old - so I don't say "yes" all the time. Good behavior is expected now - such as pottying outside, etc. But I still reward for Come and I always will.

Good luck!