Tanner Come!

[Phedra]

Ok....here'e my dilemma. Single mom, no time to take a dog to class because I can't afford a sitter on my days off and classes are not viable in my area to even take my daughter to a class. We work daily on listening and obedience but Tanner has a tendency to get out of the front yard if someone is not paying attention ie. vistiors. What is your recommendation or the best way to teach a puppy to come back to you?

[Dansgrizz]

Long lead worked for me. I practice comes randomly, when I see a dog outside doing dog stuff in his own little world I either bellow, speak or sometimes "whisper" a come command. It helps reinforce previous training. Sadly I taught come with treats (freeze dried liver) and now they expect a treat I'm weaning them off of it though.

[George Bailey]

Come should be taught, like everything, in a controlled environment before you take it on the road. Teach come with go (when you need it is when they are gone), they are opposite pairs. Build in speed and rhythm.
You can teach it with food, tossing cookies away from you and then through your legs in increasingly longer distances, but this may cause some impulse problems.
We teach come right away with the two finger target with SATS, then pair it with go to a remote target. The method teaches you to teach in progressions and to be aware and supportive of your dog. The intermediate bridge is so compelling to my dogs that they will come to the sound of it and nothing else.
Julie K