Come when called
Basic Manners · 15 steps · by Push Drop Stick
Your Dog will learn to come when called for the verbal cue 'Come' away from distractions for 3 high-value treats.
**Where this fits: three layers of recall.** Come when called is the reliable middle tier, paid generously every time:
**Name Recall → Come when called → Emergency Recall**
Build a casual **Name Recall** first for everyday use (call one dog by name for a treat or two, see the Name Recall plan), lean on **Come when called** when you really need them, and save the **Emergency Recall** as a rare jackpot for true emergencies (see the Emergency Recall plan).
**Recall is simple to train and easy to wreck. Five rules protect it:**
1. **Coming to you always pays.** Never use Your Dog's recall word for anything they would rather avoid: the end of the park, a bath, a scolding. Go get them for those. 2. **Pay well, and pay every time.** Recall is the most expensive behavior you own. Best food, several pieces, and unlike the casual name recall, this one never fades to occasional. 3. **Only call when you'd bet on it.** If you are less than about 90% sure Your Dog will come, don't spend the cue. Walk over instead. 4. **One cue, then go collect.** Say the word once and let it stand. If nothing happens, don't repeat it and don't bargain. Cheerfully go get Your Dog and end it kindly. 5. **After a miss, make the next one easier.** A miss is information, not disobedience. Shorten the distance, dial down the distraction, or upgrade the treat before you call again.
**Safety:** Practice with a [long-line](https://pushdropstick.com/help/longlines) attached to a harness or in a secure fenced area.
For this plan you will also need:
**- A Release Cue:** such as "Okay Go!" to tell Your Dog that you are done giving out treats, and they are free to go back to doing whatever they want.
**Automatic Check-ins:** Once recall is solid, many dogs start to offer it on their own, either by waiting for you to catch up or returning to you directly. In most cases this is great and worth reinforcing. It can become a problem, though, if it tips into begging and keeps Your Dog from getting proper exercise and enrichment. If that happens, stop reinforcing the check-ins and use your release cue to send Your Dog back to exploring.
Training steps
Cue inside from 2 feet
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted but also not expecting anything from you.
Train inside when Your Dog is not distracted and not expecting anything from you (they are not looking at you). Say 'Come' from 2 feet. Praise Your Dog as soon as they look at you, then give them 3 treats.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue inside from 5 feet
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted but also not expecting anything from you.
Train inside when Your Dog is not distracted and not expecting anything from you (they are not looking at you). Say 'Come' from 5 feet. Praise Your Dog as soon as they look at you and give them 3 treats.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 2 feet
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted but also not expecting anything from you.
Train outside in a low-distraction location. When Your Dog is not expecting it, say 'Come' from 2 feet. Praise Your Dog as soon as they look at you and give them 3 treats.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 5 feet with prompting
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted but also not expecting anything from you.
Train outside in a low-distraction location. When Your Dog is not expecting it, say 'Come' from 5 feet. Praise Your Dog as soon as they look at you, then encourage them to come by crouching down and using a happy, excited voice.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 5 feet
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted but also not expecting anything from you.
Train outside in a low-distraction location. When Your Dog is not expecting it, say 'Come' from 5 feet and wait for them to come.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 20 feet with prompting
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted but also not expecting anything from you.
Say 'Come' from 20 feet, then encourage Your Dog to come by crouching down and using a happy, excited voice.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 20 feet
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted but also not expecting anything from you.
Say 'Come' from 20 feet and then wait for Your Dog to come to you.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 50 feet with prompting
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted.
Say 'Come', then encourage Your Dog to come by crouching down and using a happy, excited voice.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 50 feet
Setup: Your Dog is not distracted.
Say 'Come' from 50 feet away and then wait for Your Dog to come to you.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 5 feet with distractions and prompting
Setup: Your Dog is distracted.
Train in an exciting location and wait until Your Dog is distracted. Say 'Come' from 5 feet away, then encourage them to come by crouching down and using a happy, excited voice. Release them to go back to the distraction after.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 5 feet with distractions
Setup: Your Dog is distracted.
Train in an exciting location and wait until Your Dog is distracted. Say 'Come' from 5 feet away and wait to see if they come. Release them to go back to the distraction after.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 20 feet with distractions and prompting
Setup: Your Dog is distracted.
Say 'Come' from 20 feet away, then encourage Your Dog to come by crouching down and using a happy, excited voice. Release them to go back to the distraction after.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 20 feet with distractions
Setup: Your Dog is distracted.
Train in an exciting location and wait until Your Dog is distracted. Say 'Come' from 20 feet away and wait to see if they come. Release them to go back to the distraction after.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside from 50 feet with distractions and prompting
Setup: Your Dog is distracted.
Say 'Come' from 50 feet away, then encourage Your Dog to come by crouching down and using a happy, excited voice. Release them to go back to the distraction after.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Cue outside 50 feet with distractions
Setup: Your Dog is distracted.
Train in an exciting location and wait until Your Dog is distracted. Say 'Come' from 50 feet away and wait to see if they come. Release them to go back to the distraction after.
Success: Your Dog comes and gets 3 treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Good job! You've laid a strong foundation for Coming when Called.
Now it's time to proof Your Dog's new skill. You can restart the plan using proof steps, or play games with the goals you just earned. Practice both in different locations and around distractions.
Two skills pair perfectly with a reliable recall: the Leave it plan teaches Your Dog not to touch the surprises they find on walks, and the Distance Down plan lets you drop them into a down from a distance, which can be a lifesaver if they are heading toward danger.