Teaching a puppy to come when he is called is one of the easier commands to teach. Puppies are, well, puppies. They are young and they are curious, and they would like to see, smell, and taste the entire world — today. Their curiosity and their playfulness can lead them into danger, so it is really, REALLY important to teach a dog to "come."

The first thing to do is to make a couple of rules for yourself. Do NOT call the puppy to "come" when he has transgressed (missed the newspaper, chewed a favorite shoe, etc.). The puppy should NOT associate the word "come" with chastisement. Do NOT call the puppy to "come" when you are about to put an end to the fun he is having by putting him in his crate. In negative circumstances, you should go to the puppy and not ask him to come to you.

A puppy coming when he is called should be a "rewarding experience" — literally. Start by taking only two or three steps away from your puppy, then call his name and say "come." Use a commanding voice, but a gentle tone. When he approaches you, give him a little treat. Repeat this exercise several times every day, gradually increasing the distance that you walk away from the puppy. The idea is to get the little puppy brain to associate the use of his name and the word "come" with something good happening. Most of the time, this method will be all that is needed. But, sometimes puppies can get so distracted that they will not respond to your command to come.

When you are training a particularly stubborn and willful puppy, you will need to use a collar (NOT A CHOKE COLLAR!) and a leash. Say the puppy's name followed by the word "come" and then gently but firmly pull the puppy toward you. Give him a treat. Repeat this exercise every day, and several times every day.