I have just sent this to one of my puppy owners so will post it here as other thread is locked - might be useful for someone
The idea is to brainwash your dog into reacting as soon as s/he hears the
word.
So .....
Put dog/pup on a lead and give lead a quick flick (not yank) at the same
time saying "come". As soon as dog looks up encourage it and give tit-bit
when it reaches you. Repeat lots! You can also use dogs name in a light
voice, Come in a flat command type voice and praise as silly as you want.
Next wander around garden or somewhere there are interesting smells or
slight distractions and once dog has nose on floor then flick lead and call,
again praise as soon as you get a reaction and reward with titbit when dog
reaches you (even if you have to reel it in).
Next - shut yourself in one room and have lead on but trailing - by now your
dog should be reacting as soon as it hears the word "come" If it goes not
then quickly grab lead, flick and repeat as above
Next - let dog have run of a few rooms and repeat as above
Next - garden and house
Next - outside - if necessary use a long line to reinforce the command
Do this often and always praise and then release your dog again.
Never chase it! If it won't come then sit down and examine a leaf and talk
to that leaf, most dogs will come and see what you are doing and you can
attach lead for a couple of seconds, remind them what come means by doing a
couple of exercises and release again.
Never, ever, tell your dog off when it comes to you even if you have been
trying to catch it for an hour. Coming to you must always be rewarding or
else what incentive does it have to return.
This is the method I have used with Maverick and it was the fastest and most
effective one I have tried so far. The only time she does not obey is just
before and during her season so I don't call her then if I can possibly
avoid it, just put her on the lead a few minutes before I need to. This
means that she does not actually disobey my command <g>