Charlie has learned to sit and stay, but she will not respond for the command to come. Help!

It's so rewarding when a dog picks up "sit" and "stay" — you're clearly putting in the work with Charlie! "Come" (also called a recall) is actually one of the trickier commands for many dogs, so you're not alone in this.

Here's what's generally going on: "come" asks a dog to stop what she's doing and move toward you, which can feel less natural than "sit" or "stay." If the command has ever been followed by something she found unpleasant — bath time, nail trims, the end of playtime — she may have learned to hesitate. The good news is this is almost always fixable with patience and the right approach.

Some general tips that tend to help:

• Make "come" the best thing ever. Every single time Charlie comes to you on command, celebrate like she just won a championship — treats, praise, a quick play session. The goal is for her to associate that word with pure joy.
• Never call her to you for something she dislikes. If it's bath time, go get her instead of calling her. Protect the word "come" so it only predicts good things.
• Start short and easy. Practice in a quiet room with no distractions, just a few feet away. Build distance and distractions gradually over days or weeks.
• Use a happy, inviting tone. Crouch down, open your arms, use an excited voice. A stern or frustrated tone can make her hesitant.
• Try a long leash outdoors. A 20–30 foot leash lets her roam while giving you a way to gently guide her toward you if she doesn't respond — without a chase, which can turn into a game.
• Don't repeat the command. Saying "come, come, COME" teaches her the first word doesn't really mean anything. Say it once, then make yourself irresistible.
• End on a win. Keep sessions short (5 minutes or less) and always finish with a success so she stays enthusiastic.

Since Charlie's age is unknown, it's worth keeping in mind that very young puppies and older dogs can both have different attention spans and learning curves — but the same positive-reinforcement principles apply across the board.

If you haven't already, a group obedience class or a session or two with a certified professional dog trainer can make a huge difference. A trainer can watch Charlie's body language in real time and give you personalized feedback that's hard to replicate from a description alone.

When to see your vet:
Training challenges on their own aren't a medical issue — but if Charlie seems unusually anxious, fearful, or is showing other behavioral changes (like hiding, aggression, or loss of appetite), it's worth a vet visit to rule out anything physical or anxiety-related. There's no urgent timeline here, but mention it at her next routine checkup.

You've got this! 🐾