How to Get Your Dog to Come Inside the House

Co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: May 7, 2019

Not having your dog come when they are called can be frustrating. It may make you want to yell at your dog, get angry, or punish them. Reacting in this way can scare your dog and give your dog a negative association with coming inside. Instead, you should make your dog associate being inside with fun things like treats and toys. You can lure your dog inside with toys or treats or by teaching them the “come” command.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Encouraging Your Dog to Come Inside

1
Put the dog on a leash. You can bring your dog inside by going to them and placing them on a leash. This puts you in control of your dog by giving you a way to coerce them into the house. Walk out to where your dog is, clip the leash to the collar, and walk them inside. Give them a treat or praise for coming in with you instead of being angry. Don’t make them think they are being punished by coming with you.^{[1]
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- It's best to keep your dog on a leash and under your control when you're first teaching it to come into the house. This will keep your dog safe.
2
Use the same word to call your dog each time. Your dog will learn to come when you call it if you always use the same word, such as "Come" or your dog's name. When your dog is learning to come, give it a treat and lavish it with praise and pets when it responds to your call.
- You can start out by calling the dog while it is close to you. For example, sit or stand a few feet away from your dog. Say, "Come" and hold out a treat. Praise and pet the dog when it comes.
- Once your dog associates treats with the call word, you can move out of sight. Overtime, it will learn to come inside when you call it.
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3
Lure them inside with a toy. Some dogs may be persuaded to come into the house for a toy. Take the toy and stand at the door with it. Call your dog while waving the toy. Many dogs will be interested in the toy and want to play. If the dog comes towards you, step into the house or toss the toy inside to get your dog to go after it.^{[2]
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- Make sure to continue playing with the dog when they get inside so as not to make them think it’s a trick. Instead, show them that coming inside is fun and rewarding for them.
- You may want to try a toy that makes noise, like a squeaky toy.
- Try playing tug-of-war with the dog until you herd the dog inside.
4
Tempt them with a treat. You can try to get your dog to come inside by giving them a treat. Choose their favorite treat and stand at the door. Call them to you while holding the treat. As soon as they come towards you, step inside the house and make them come to you for the treat.^{[3]
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- Don’t immediately shut the door. This could scare the dog or make them feel trapped. Instead, put a couple of treats on the floor and walk further into the house. You may want to give them an additional treat when they come seek you out.
- After the dog comes inside for the treat, praise them and pet them. Grab a toy and play with them. Help them realize that being inside is a good experience and they won’t be punished.
5
Take the dog for a walk. If your dog isn’t coming inside, you may want to take them for a walk. Dogs need exercise and mental stimulation, so by taking the dog for a walk, you can tire them out and keep them stimulated. After the walk, you will have them on the leash so you can just take the dog directly into your house and give them a treat. ^{[4]
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- This also shows them that they will be rewarded through positive reinforcement by coming into the house.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Strengthening the Bond with Your Dog

1
Praise your dog when they come inside. You want your dog to be happy to come inside. To do this, you need to give positive reinforcement when they come inside. Give praise, pets, or a treat to let them know that they have done well. This also helps them see inside the house as something good and happy instead of scary or punishing.^{[5]
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- For example, when the dog enters the house, pet them and tell them, “Good dog!” in a happy voice.
2
Make your home a comfortable place. Your dog may not want to come inside the house if they do not feel comfortable there. You want to make sure that your dog has a place to sleep, toys, and things to do. Feed them inside, spend time with them, and make them part of your family. This will encourage them to want to be inside and think of it as a happy place.^{[6]
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- You should also make the house a comfortable temperature, and give your dog somewhere for them to go if there is too much noise or activity in a room, such as a crate to retreat into.
- Make sure that nothing in the house is scaring the dog, such as loud or scary people, other animals, or loud noises, such as the TV.
3
Spend time with your dog outside. Don’t just always put your dog outside and leave them alone. Instead, spend some time with your dog when they are outside. Walk with them, chase them around the yard, play games with them, or play with toys. If your dog runs off, give them a treat and praise when they return to you.^{[7]
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- This helps your dog bond with you and want to be around you. Your dog will start to associate being called with getting a treat.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Training Your Dog

1
Teach your dog the come command. Another way to help your dog come inside is to train them to come when called. Place them on a long rope lead, long enough that they can run around and play. Start by making it into a game by getting your dog to chase you while saying, “Come!” Give the dog a treat, enthusiastic praise, and a special toy when they come to you. Start when the dog is close to you and expand the distance between you as they learn.^{[8]
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- Start moving towards the house as you call them. Wait to call them inside until after they learn to come to you while out in the yard.
- If the dog doesn’t comply with your command, gently pull them towards you. Don’t punish the dog, yell at them, or hit them. Just pull them to you enough to nudge them towards you.
- This helps the dog learn how that coming when you call them results in happy things, like treats or praise.
2
Avoid calling your dog to you for punishment. You should make your dog associate coming to you with positive experiences, like getting pets, praise, a toy, or a treat. If you call your dog to you to punish them or do something unwanted like a bath or nail trimming, you are giving your dog a negative association with coming to you.^{[9]
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- For example, never call the dog to you in an angry voice.
- After calling your dog to you, don’t hit them, punish them, or do something unpleasant.
3
Avoid being physically aggressive with your dog. Sometimes, you may be so frustrated with your dog that you want to drag them inside by their collar. This is a negative response which will make your dog fearful of you and being inside the house. You want to avoid making your dog scared of the house.^{[10]
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- Don’t yell at your dog when they come inside the house. This will make them associate coming into the house with punishment.