Come
Besides being generally useful in retrieving your pug from wherever he might be nosing around, the come command can save your pug's life if he's ever in danger. Use it to call him for dinner, to get him ready to go somewhere, or to get him out of the path of a speeding car or lowering garage door. The come command is easy to teach. The trick is making sure your pug responds to it instantly, every time. This takes time, consistency, and plenty of praise and other rewards.
The obedience trial term for the come command is “recall.” You want your pug to have a perfect recall.
Start teaching the come command as soon as you bring your puppy or dog home. Puppies, especially, will follow you instinctively. Use this behavior to your advantage by saying, “[Dog's name], come!” every time your pup is headed toward you anyway. Use your most excited tone of voice, and reinforce the verbal command with body language by kneeling down and spreading your arms wide in a welcoming gesture. When Pugsley reaches you, give him lots of praise and petting. This is one command your dog just can't get wrong — except by not coming.
Using a Clicker to Teach the Come Command
Start at short distances of two or three feet. Click every time you see your pug walking toward you, and reward him when he reaches you. Add the verbal command “[Dog's name], come!” as he heads in your direction.
Practicing the Come Command
Gradually start calling your pug from a greater distance. Vary the rewards he gets for coming so that he'll always want to see what's going to happen when he reaches you. In addition to praise and hugs, good rewards might be an extra-special treat or the offer of a favorite toy that's not always available. Practice this command several times a day, every day, throughout your pug's life.
Reinforcing the Come Command
One way to make the come command fun for your pug is to play chase games. Encourage your puppy to chase you as you run around the yard or through the house. You want him to think that following you is a great game. On the other hand, avoid playing the game where you chase the dog. That only teaches him that running away is fun. If your puppy is running away from you, turn the tables by running in the opposite direction and encouraging him to follow you. When he does, give him lots of praise and petting.
To further reinforce that coming to you is a good thing, use the come command every time you feed your pug, take him for a walk, or initiate a play session. “[Dog's name], come! Dinner!” “[Dog's name], come! Let's go for a walk!” If he's playing, call him, give him a treat, and let him go back to what he was doing.
Testing the Come Command
When you're sure your pug understands the come command, start testing him in controlled situations. Practice in a confined area or make sure he has a fifteen- to thirty-foot clothesline attached to his collar or harness. Let him wander off. When he's not paying attention to you, call him, using a happy tone of voice. He should respond right away. If he doesn't, wiggle the line to encourage him to come toward you (don't drag or jerk him). Give lots of praise when he reaches you.
Never call your pug and then scold him because he was doing something wrong (such as knocking over the bathroom trash can). That's the quickest way to teach him not to come. Instead, praise him every time he comes to your call. It's also a good idea not to call him for something he dislikes, such as getting his nails trimmed. Go get him instead.
If he's not wearing a leash, go get him and walk him to the place where you gave the command, saying “Come” as you walk. When you reach the spot, say “Good come!” Practice until he comes reliably, no matter how far away he is or how interesting his other activity. As his recalls improve, start teaching him to sit in front of you or at your side when he reaches you. When he's mastered that, reward him only for straight sits or only for very fast responses.
