This is a handout I created years ago and have given to many clients. If you are struggling with “come”, check to see whether you are doing these things first.
Tips for Come
Always reinforce, always with something special. Your dog’s preferences determine what is special. Maybe it’s a game of tug, maybe it’s a special treat, maybe it’s some nice neck scratches or some time to sniff a light post.
Do not only call for possibly unpleasant events such as a bath or leaving an off leash area. Instead calmly and gently go get your dog. If there are events that are consistently unpleasant for your dog, work with a (professional, positive) trainer to work on that! Even bath time can be enjoyable with training.
Call and release back to the activity your dog was enjoying as often as possible so that coming to you doesn’t end the current activity.
Surprise reinforcers! – Treats around the house, extra special treats, or other unexpected fun for your dog.
Call only once. Only call after you have your dog’s attention (I use a name cue for attention first – if they don’t look when you call their name, they probably won’t come to you). If you repeat their name or the “come” cue over and over, it will just become background noise. The word will quickly lose its meaning.
Only call if you are sure your dog will listen. (Would you bet $50 she or he will come?) If you aren’t sure, gently go up to him to get him instead of calling and practice more.
Teach your dog that touching their collar is a positive thing! Some dogs will mouth, nip or growl when you take their collar – if this is something your dog struggles with, work with a (professional, positive) trainer to teach this one.
I almost called this post “Treating your Cat more Like a Dog” – But I didn’t want to imply that cats’ species specific needs should be ignored. However, some of the things I’ve been doing with my dogs have gotten me thinking about my cat’s behavior a little more carefully too.
I have two stories to share about our cat, Cecil. I’ll share one today and one next time.
He’s 11 years old. He and his sister, Ida, were adopted by my husband before we were married. We were dating at the time and I got to be there the day he brought them home, so even though they are my “step-pets” I’ve known them their whole lives. Cecil is an especially active orange tabby. Cecil once raided the spice cabinet above the stove, he used to hide the sink drain cover in Justin’s shoes, and he has always followed us around the house like a puppy. He has also always dashed outside whenever we had the door open for a moment too long. (Ida is much more mellow by nature. I’ll have to write about her soon too.)
As Cecil has gotten older, he’s slowed down a bit but he still is always in the same room with one of us. And he still yearns to go outside. He often makes a break for it in nice weather and then when we need to bring him in, he hides under the deck. Usually this happens when I am on the way out the door to an appointment.
This behavior makes perfect sense. He never got satiated on outside time because he only gets a few minutes at a time. And usually getting picked up = going inside. So he would avoid us when we were outside.
Cecil in his cat tree by the window – A perfect spot to watch the birds.
A month or so ago, when it started getting warmer out again, Cecil got out. And since I’m home 24/7 right now, I had the time to let him explore. So I did. I followed him from about 15 feet away – which seemed to be enough space that he wouldn’t run away from me under a tree/bush/deck. I grabbed some of his favorite treats. And I just watched. After 20 minute or so I said hi to him and he chattered at me and I offered him some treats. Then I let him go back to exploring.
After another 20 minutes, he finally walked back the the door that goes inside on his own. I pet him, gave him a few more treats, put the dogs in another room and left the backdoor open. He came in on his own and got a few more treats. I closed the door and played with him with his favorite toy. Then he took the longest nap he’s had maybe ever!
This is exactly how I would teach a recall to a dog in a similar situation. I’m not sure why, but I just hadn’t thought about teaching my cat a recall before.
Anyway, we’ve been practicing this on nice days. Over the last few weeks we’ve gotten to the point now where he will come to me easily after about 10 minutes outside. After 20 minutes I can convince him to go in if I need to. But if he is given complete choice, 45 minutes seems to be the right amount of time.
Cecil comes for Petting (below)
Practicing Recalls with Treats (below)
Cecil on March 25th – You can observe that he moves away from me when I approach. This was early on in our outdoor adventures. (below)
Cecil on April 8th – After some practice with outdoor adventures, he comes when I call, then I let him go explore some more. (below)
Now that he is not in constant deprivation for outside time, he is a little less likely to dart outside when we are going in and out. Now that I don’t scoop him up and take him in every time I get close to him outside, he is coming up to me on his own for petting and treats. He has stopped running from me. Yesterday, for the first time I tried approaching and I was able to walk right up to him and pet him. The consequences changed so his behavior changed.
I’ve really enjoyed watching him outside. He explores, eats grass, sniffs out critters, watches the birds, rolls on the sunny sidewalk or deck. He’s even spent time getting pets from us while we sit in the sunshine together – more interested in our attention than exploring. I’ve learned so much about what he enjoys, what enrichment could look like for him, and I feel like we’ve really bonded over this time.
Evening snuggles
Safety Note:
I need to mention – this isn’t possible for everyone – our secure yard makes this something I’m comfortable with. Our 2 acre yard is fenced with 1×2″ wire and there are very few gaps in it. I have covered up the gaps between the fence and the ground. I have never observed him even looking up the fence to indicate he might climb or jump. So I feel pretty confident that he will stay in the yard if we are right there. But I wouldn’t let him out of my sight. I am very focused on following him.
If your yard isn’t cat-escape-proof you might be able to try a harness and leash or build a catio to let your cat have a similar experience at home. Remember to slowly teach your cat how to wear the leash and harness first and build lost of positive reinforcement into the experience.
