For their very safety...COME needs to be the command they know better than any other. They should ALWAYS want to come. I agree with Muffie's Mom that you should not use "come" until the dog has it mastered and will come everytime unless you are actively training and have the dog on a leash.
You should also never use a harsh voice when you give the "come" command or do it when yo are angry and want to punish the dog in some way for a misdeed. This is a common mistake and the dog learns to associate "coming" with bad things instead of praise and treats. You should always go get the dog in those instances.
You need to make yourself the most appealing thing to the dog, more appealing than that rabbit running across the yard. You have to be all FUN and playtime when you train "come". A solid "come" behavior has saved many a dog's lives. |