Useful behaviors to train: coming when called

Come: 

This is also called a recall.  Most puppies follow you around naturally.  Often a newly adopted adult will, too.  Remember that this is not a permanent behavior.  When the puppy hits adolescence, he will pay less attention to you and be more willing to wander off.  The newly-adopted dog will test his independence, too, as he becomes more secure.  Capture the “come when called” behavior while you can.  Click and treat the behavior frequently.  One fun game is to have family members sit around in a circle, taking turns calling, clicking, and treating the dog.  As the dog gets good, be sure the calls are at random (dogs learn sequences very fast and will figure out, “my next treat comes from the left” rather than, “walk toward the person calling “here”).  Give a jackpot for the dog’s best responses, such as very immediate or quick and enthusiastic recalls.  Play hide-and-seek (hide and call “find me”) in your house or your fenced-in yard, and reward your dog for finding you. 

When the dog is playing with another dog or otherwise having a good time, occasionally call the dog, praise him, possibly give him a treat, and release him to go back to what he was doing (“Go play!”).  Sometimes grab his collar, or even snap the leash on him briefly and then release him to play.  It is important to you that the dog not associate coming to you or the presence of the leash with ending the fun.  Of course, you will snap on the leash when you leave, but the dog will know that 60-80% of the time he will get to resume play, so he will be more willing to come over.

Important:  Coming to you should always be a pleasant experience.  NEVER call Fido to you to scold him, punish him, or force him to do something he hates (like get his nails clipped or take a pill).  Go to the dog, instead.