The “Come” command is one of the most important things you can teach your Maltipoo. Whether you’re at the park or at home, having your dog reliably return to you could prevent accidents and strengthen your bond. For any dog owner, there’s nothing more reassuring than knowing your companion will come back to you, no matter the distraction.
Why Teaching ‘Come’ Matters?
Teaching your Maltipoo to come when called isn’t just convenient – it’s crucial for their safety. Imagine your pup darting toward a busy street or getting too close to an aggressive dog. A strong recall can save their life. I’ll never forget the day my own dog spotted a squirrel and bolted towards a road; it was a solid recall that prevented a potential tragedy. Beyond safety, this command gives you better control, builds trust, and deepens your connection with your Maltipoo. Since Maltipoos are energetic and curious by nature, recall training helps manage their playful spirit without limiting their freedom.
You might also find this article on teaching a Maltipoo to sit helpful.
When to Start Training?
You can begin recall training as early as 8–12 weeks old. Puppies at this age are like sponges – eager to learn and bond with you. But if your Maltipoo is older, don’t worry! Dogs of any age can learn the “Come” command with the right approach. The key is to stay consistent, encouraging, and patient.
What You’ll Need
- High-value treats: Soft, small snacks your Maltipoo absolutely loves. This means something special they don’t get every day, like tiny pieces of boiled chicken, cheese, or freeze-dried liver. The goal is to make the reward more exciting than any distraction.
- A clicker (optional): To precisely mark the moment they do the right thing.
- A long leash: For safe outdoor practice. A 15- to 30-foot (5-10 meter) leash is ideal as it gives them freedom to roam but keeps them safe.
- A distraction-free space: For early training sessions.
- A cheerful tone and patience: Your best tools!
Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching ‘Come’ to a Maltipoo
Step 1: Start Indoors in a Calm Setting
Begin by sitting just a few feet away from your Maltipoo. Call out, “Come!” in a happy, upbeat voice while holding out a treat. The moment your dog approaches, praise them enthusiastically and give the treat. Repeat this several times. Keep initial sessions very short – just a few minutes at a time – to maintain your puppy’s focus and excitement.
Step 2: Add Distance and Use a Long Leash
Once your Maltipoo is consistently coming to you, increase the distance. Use a hallway or large room. You can also attach a long leash to gently guide them if they hesitate. Avoid tugging on the leash; the goal is for them to want to come to you, not to be physically pulled.
Step 3: Practice with Mild Distractions
Move training outdoors into a safe, fenced area. Introduce light distractions like rustling leaves or distant noises. If your Maltipoo comes despite the distractions, reward with extra enthusiasm. Gradually build their ability to focus.
Step 4: Use Real-Life Situations
Incorporate the “Come” command into everyday moments. Call your dog from across the house before feeding time or during play. When they respond, always reward them. This teaches that “Come” leads to good things, not just the end of fun. This technique is highly effective and is a core part of modern positive reinforcement training, often supported by veterinary behaviorists and organizations like the American Kennel Club.
Step 5: Never Punish After “Come”
If your dog finally comes and you scold them for taking too long, they’ll hesitate next time. Always make “Come” positive. Remember, you are teaching them that coming to you is always the safest and best choice they can make. Never use it before something your dog dislikes, like bath time or crate training.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Repeating “Come” too often: Say it once, then help guide them.
- Using a harsh or frustrated tone: Your tone should always be inviting.
- Calling only for unpleasant things: Mix in plenty of fun and praise.
- Skipping rewards: Always reward at the beginning, even if they’re slow.
Advanced Tips to Strengthen Recall
Once your Maltipoo understands the basics, make training more engaging:
- Play hide-and-seek: Call “Come” and hide around a corner.
- Vary rewards: Mix treats, toys, or enthusiastic belly rubs.
- Practice in new locations: Parks, driveways, friend’s yards.
- Gradually add distractions: Kids playing, other dogs, birds.
These variations help your Maltipoo generalize the command to any setting, a crucial concept in dog training known as “proofing the behavior.”
What If My Maltipoo Doesn’t Come?
If your pup ignores you:
- Take a step back: Return to an easier, less distracting setting.
- Upgrade your treats: Use something truly irresistible. If dried biscuits aren’t working, the distraction is currently more valuable. Try a tiny piece of hot dog and see the difference.
- Check your tone: Are you sounding cheerful or frustrated? Your dog can tell!
- Limit distractions: Too many new sights and smells can overwhelm your Maltipoo.
Patience is key. Don’t rush – build trust slowly.
Conclusion
Teaching your Maltipoo the “Come” command is a lifelong gift to both of you. It keeps your dog safe, gives you peace of mind, and helps nurture a responsive, well-mannered companion. Make it a fun game, practice often, and celebrate every small win. With time and consistency, your Maltipoo will not just obey a command, but joyfully choose to return to their favorite person. You.
This material was created using these articles:
Best Friends Animal Society
Off Leash K9 Training
Fort Wayne Dog Trainers
FAQ for article “Teaching a Maltipoo to Come”
How can I get my dog to run to me quickly instead of strolling over?
Many dogs develop a “slow walk” recall because their reinforcement history made the behavior predictable and low-value. Use Differential Reinforcement of High Rate/Speed (DRH) – only reward faster recalls, and give a jackpot (a rapid series of small treats, a tug session, or release back to play) for the fastest ones. Incorporate anticipatory reinforcement: run away from your dog when calling (run-away recall), mark the behavior (clicker or “Yes!”) the moment they accelerate toward you, and use “chase me” games upon arrival. The technical goal is to build high latency motivation where running to you becomes a conditioned reinforcer in itself.
What should I do if my dog runs toward me but veers away at the last second?
This is often a criteria gap at the handler proximity stage. Break the chain:
Teach a hand target (nose to palm) and a solid “parking spot” position (sit or stand at your side or between your legs).
Insert the target as the end cue in the recall sequence (“Come” → target → position → marker → reinforcement).
Use a controlled environment and a long line as a safeguard so the behavior of running away is never self-rewarded. Your success criterion: a completed recall sequence with at least 90% reliability at the current distraction level.
How can I proof the recall so it works anywhere, even with big distractions?
Proofing is systematic generalization under controlled manipulation of the “Three Ds”: Distance, Duration, and Distractions. Increase only one variable at a time. For example, once you have 90%+ success at 15 feet indoors, add mild environmental changes (e.g., toys on the floor). Then test in a fenced outdoor space. Gradually introduce high-value competing motivators (kids running, other dogs, squirrels) but manage thresholds so the dog can still succeed. The goal is stimulus control: “Come” means the same behavior, regardless of environment or competing cues.
My dog only comes when I have food in my hand. How do I fix that?
This happens when prompt dependency is accidentally created. Fade visible food by switching to reward-after-behavior instead of lure-before-behavior. Hide treats on your body, in a pouch, or in an environment “stash.” Reinforce variably – sometimes with food, sometimes with toys, sometimes with access to play – to create a variable reinforcement schedule that keeps your dog guessing and motivated. Over time, the recall cue itself becomes the predictor of good things, not the sight of food.
Is it okay to use the “Come” command before something my dog dislikes (bath, crate, vet visit)?
When teaching recall, avoid pairing it consistently with negative outcomes – this can erode the positive conditioned emotional response (CER) you’ve worked to build. If you need the dog to come before something neutral or mildly disliked, countercondition by following that event with a strong reinforcer (e.g., recall → mild event → play or high-value treat). Early in training, protect the cue’s emotional value by using it mostly in play, reinforcement, and safety contexts.
How can I improve recall training for my Maltipoo when they seem “stubborn” and ignore me outdoors?
In Maltipoo obedience training, “stubbornness” during outdoor recall is usually not defiance but competition from the environment – new smells, sights, and sounds. For effective recall training for Maltipoo puppies and adults, choose reinforcers more valuable than distractions (fresh chicken, favorite toy) and begin long-leash recall practice in a low-distraction area. Use the Premack Principle: call your Maltipoo, reward with a treat or praise, then immediately release back to sniffing or play. Work on one training variable at a time – distance, distraction, or duration – and reach at least 85–90% success before increasing difficulty. Avoid off-leash sessions until your Maltipoo reliably responds on the long line.
What should I do if my shy or anxious Maltipoo freezes instead of coming when called?
If your Maltipoo freezes during recall training, it often means they are over threshold or the “Come” cue has been associated with stress. Start rebuilding a positive conditioned emotional response by pairing the recall cue with guaranteed rewards in calm, familiar environments. In early stages, reward small orientation signs – a head turn, an ear flick, or a step toward you. Incorporate approach–retreat games and short, relaxing walks to lower arousal. For anxious Maltipoo recall problems, avoid calling them in high-stress scenarios until confidence improves. In complex cases, consult a certified force-free dog trainer or canine behaviorist.
How can I maintain a strong recall with my Maltipoo without giving treats every single time?
In positive reinforcement recall training for Maltipoos, treats are important at the learning stage, but you can keep motivation high without constant food rewards by switching to a variable reinforcement schedule. Mix different types of rewards: tasty treats, tug games, fetch sessions, verbal praise, or access to favorite activities. Use “jackpots” – a burst of extra rewards – for the fastest or most challenging recalls. Occasionally recall your Maltipoo, reward with enthusiasm, then release them back to fun. This keeps the “Come” command exciting and prevents reward fatigue while preserving reliability.
My Maltipoo stays too close to me and loses independence during walks. How do I balance recall and exploration?
Some Maltipoos begin “shadowing” their owners if recall training is overused in walks. The solution is to differentiate informal check-ins from the formal “Come” cue. Reward voluntary check-ins with light reinforcement, but also give a release cue like “Go sniff” to encourage confident exploration. Use structured play, enrichment games, and exploration sessions to build independence. Sprinkle recall training in between, occasionally rewarding and then releasing your Maltipoo back to off-leash play (in fenced areas or on a long leash). This keeps their recall sharp without making them cling too closely.
How do I teach my Maltipoo reliable recall around other dogs or wildlife safely and ethically?
High-distraction recall scenarios, like calling your Maltipoo away from other dogs or chasing wildlife, require proofing under controlled conditions. Start with staged setups – introduce distractions at a distance where your Maltipoo can still succeed. Use a reliable emergency recall cue or attention sound in addition to your standard “Come.” Practice with moving toys or flirt poles before trying in real-life scenarios. Always train on a long line in open spaces to avoid accidental reinforcement from chasing. Respect leash laws and wildlife safety – ethical Maltipoo recall training prioritizes both your dog’s safety and the well-being of others.
