[alaskayorkie]

I bow to FirstYorkie and others who use a clicker when it comes to training tips (see Joey vids for reason why!), but for the sake of giving you options, here's what I did:

We had a game. I'd go to the park, tell him to "sit," "stay," and have a friend or kid hold him. I'd then walk several paces away, shout "COME, EDDIE, COME," and have the person let go of him. When he reached me, I'd shower him with praise and immediately give him his favorite treat.

Slowly, over a few weeks, I'd go farther and farther away, and eventually even go to where he couldn't see me when I'd shout "come." The goal was to make coming to me his favorite thing in life. I really think it worked. Even today, when I shout come, he literally burns out to get to me (usually!).

In obedience class, they had us have him sit, then we'd walk a pace or two away (sometimes even standing on his leash) and tell him to stay. Then we'd do the animated "COME" with reward. We increased length of time before the 'COME' before we increased distance.

I actually give him a "wait" when I'm going to call him and "stay" when I'm going to return to him, but I've had instructors who think the dogs don't get the distinction.

Don't give up. I think "come" is the most important command you can teach a dog.