Teach Your Dog to Come

It will be to your benefit to start using this command when your puppy is 7 weeks old. The earlier you start letting him know that when you say "come" and he does, life will be great. Always encourage your puppy to come with enthusiastic praise and lots of encouragement. Keep in mind that no two dogs or puppies are alike so you will have to adjust your training methods according to the individual. Which means what might have worked to motivate one dog may not work on another. Use your imagination, food treats or toys. Try to avoid calling him in a threatening tone. He may associate this with being scolded.

Training Tip:
If you are scolding your dog for not coming the first time he has been called, he may be associating your impatience with you losing your temper, which means coming to you is the last thing on his mind. If he begins to ignore you and act as if he does not hear you, attach a long leash to him so you have a way to reel him into you after you give him one command to "come." This way you are not repeating the command and your dog will learn to come when he is called (because he has no choice). Be enthusiastic!

More info at www.purina.com