As an owner, you want your dog to behave. Ideally, that means he or she will do what you ask without hesitation or fear.
Dog training commands are the building blocks for creating a well-behaved pet, and as such, it’s important to know what each one means and how to use them effectively.
In this post, we’ll cover some of the most common dog training commands and how they can be used in real life situations with your pup!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Training your dog is essential to create a happy and healthy pet-owner relationship. |
| 2. Knowing the most common dog training commands can streamline the process of training your dog. |
| 3. Positive reinforcement is an effective technique to use while training your dog. |
| 4. Consistency is key in training your dog, so make sure to follow a structured routine. |
| 5. Start training your dog early, and be patient with the learning process. |
| 6. Avoid common training mistakes and make sure to establish clear communication with your dog. |
| 7. Excessive barking can become a behavior problem, but effective training can eliminate the issue. |
| 8. It’s important not to give up on your dog, even when it seems like they’re not responding to the training. |
| 9. Puppies are easier to train than older dogs, so take advantage of this early on. |
| 10. Training your dog can improve their behavior and reduce the likelihood of negative interactions with other people and pets. |
Heel
Heel is a command that tells your dog to walk beside you, rather than ahead of you or behind you. It’s the first command to teach your puppy and one that’s important to get right before introducing it to other commands.
When teaching heel, start by holding a treat in your hand and asking the dog to sit. As soon as he does so, reward him with the treat and repeat this until he starts waiting for his reward before sitting down each time you ask him to sit.
Once he’s gotten used to this routine, begin walking towards him while holding out a treat in front of him. When he takes a step forward towards it, click/treat!
Repeat this process until he understands how things work—and then gradually make it more difficult by ensuring that his nose stays closer and closer towards your leg as he walks next to it (this will prevent him from pulling ahead). Again: be patient!
Dogs which are calm and co-operative are great companions for humans. To make the training easy, The Most Effective Methods for Training Your Dog to Stay provides valuable tips for teaching your dog how to calm down and pay attention to you.
Come
Come – When you call your dog, you want them to come to you. That’s why this is the first command they should learn.
When called by name, they should run over and sit at the owner’s feet. If their name has been used in conjunction with other commands such as “sit” or “down” then they will follow these directions as well.
Come – This command can be used with other commands in order for them to obey multiple commands at once! For example:
If an owner says “come on boy! Sit down! Lie down! Shake hands! Roll over!,” the dog will understand all of these commands because they are all connected together by one word – “come”!
| # | Items | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Long Leashes | Allow your dog to roam while still controlled |
| 2. | Treat Dispensers | Use to reward and encourage your dog to come |
| 3. | Training Collars | Teach your dog to return when called |
| 4. | Whistles | Signal your dog to come |
| 5. | Clickers | Use positive reinforcement techniques |
Sit
Sit is one of the most basic commands and it’s a great one to teach your dog before moving on to more advanced commands.
Sit is used for teaching dogs to stay in one place, which makes it a good command for house training or keeping your dog calm during walks.
If you have an older dog who knows this command already, it’s important that you practice this every day so that he will continue to remember it.
If you’re training your dog, avoiding common mistakes can make a big difference in their learning. With 15 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Training Your Dog you can learn how to avoid the pitfalls of dog training by following expert advice.
Stay
When you tell your dog to stay, they should remain in the same spot until you release them. This command is especially useful when your dog is jumping on people or other dogs, or if they are about to eat something that could be dangerous for their health.
It is also helpful in situations where owners want to keep their pets from getting into trouble (like chewing on electrical cords) or when guests come over and want to pet the animal without being jumped on or knocked over by it.
Dog trainers suggest teaching this command at an early age—around six months old—because it is one of the first commands that should be learned by any dog owner.
If a puppy doesn’t understand how “stay” works at this stage, he won’t know what else he can do with himself when given direction later in life, which could lead him into more serious behavioral problems later down the road if left unchecked
| # | Items | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Training Clickers | For positive reinforcement |
| 2. | Treat Dispensers | Keep your pet occupied during the stay |
| 3. | Pet Barriers | Block off specific areas |
| 4. | Leashes | Help with controlled stops |
| 5. | Dog Crates | Encourage relaxation and informed confinement |
Training Tools for Teaching Your Dog to Stay
The above table outlines some of the items that can be helpful in teaching your dog to stay. The five columns list the different items that you can use to help your dog learn to stay in a controlled environment. These training tools include training clickers, treat dispensers, pet barriers, leashes, and dog crates. By using these tools, you can help your furry friend learn more effectively and enjoyably.
Down
One of the most basic commands that every dog owner should know is “down.” This command tells your dog to lie down, usually on the ground.
The down command can be used in many situations and has many uses, including:
Tell your dog to lie down on the ground when you are taking him for a walk. This will help him get accustomed to walking alongside you without pulling on his leash or getting distracted by other dogs or people he sees along the way.
It also helps him learn how to heel properly, as well as how far back behind you he should remain when walking beside you.
Use it if someone comes up from behind and scares your dog by making sudden movements or noises; this will help ensure that he doesn’t bite them unintentionally (or worse yet, intentionally).
Excessive barking is a problem that many dog owners face. However, there are ways to overcome this issue. Expert Advice: How To Train Your Dog To Stop Barking can help you find the root causes of excessive barking and teach you how to train your pet to control their vocalizing.
Off
You can tell your dog to ‘off’ or ‘down’ if you want them to stop doing something. This is especially useful when they are jumping on people or chewing on furniture, as well as when they are in a situation where they might be uncomfortable.
For example, if there’s a cat around that your dog does not know and would like to chase, tell him “off” so he knows that he needs to keep his distance.
Drop it
Drop it is an important command to teach your dog. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including telling your dog to drop an object (like a toy or food) that they shouldn’t have or even if you just want them to release something from their mouth.
If you want to teach this command, make sure that you keep things simple and fun for both of you by setting up scenarios where the dog will likely be successful at picking up what he wants and dropping it when asked.
Having a trained dog can make life much easier, especially when it comes to living with your family. How To Train Your Dog To Be The Perfect Family Pet gives you the guidance and tips you need to raise a well-behaved dog that is loving and responsive to all members of your household.
Place
Place is a command that means “go to the spot and stay there.” If you have an untrained dog, this is a useful command. You can use it to teach your dog to stay in one place.
For example, if you want to teach your dog to stay while you put on their leash and go on walks, this is an appropriate time to say “place.”
You can also use it when training them not to jump up on people because they’re excited or scared of something such as thunderstorms or strangers coming over for dinner guests (in which case we recommend saying “sit,” but that’s another article).
Leave it
Leave it is one of the more useful commands anyone can teach their dog. It teaches your pup to stop doing something, and also tells them that they should leave whatever they’re focused on alone.
This can be especially useful if your dog likes to eat things he or she shouldn’t, like trash or sticks (or even shoes). It’s also a great command for keeping your dog from jumping up on people or furniture when you have guests over.
Leave is also an excellent tool for discouraging barking at other dogs in public areas—if you tell them “leave it,” then they’ll stop barking in favor of coming back to you instead!
To have a well-trained dog is a worthwhile goal, and the easiest time to start training is when they’re a puppy. When to Start Training Your Puppy: Tips and Tricks offers valuable advice to take advantage of the early days of your pup’s life, and help you develop a strong bond between them and you.
Fetch
Fetch is a great way to exercise your dog and bond with him or her. Even if you don’t have a yard, you can play fetch indoors if you have enough space in a room or hallway. You can also teach your dog to bring back any object, including balls and sticks.
To begin playing fetch with your dog, start by holding an object in front of him/her that he/she wants to chase down and then toss it as far as possible so that he/she will follow after it. Once he/she has retrieved the object, give him/her lots of praise!
Next time you want him/her to bring back the object after retrieving it from wherever he dropped it (which will likely be near where he chased it), use “Bring” or “Bring It Back” when tossing the ball so that he’ll know what command means “bring me my ball” without having learned any other words yet!
| # | Items | Brands |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Balls for Fetch | Chuckit!, KONG, Nerf |
| 2. | Retrieval toys for Fetch | Nylabone, Chuckit!, Outward Hound |
| 3. | Frisbees for Fetch | Kong Flyer, Chuckit! Flying Squirrel, Hyper Pet K9 Kannon |
| 4. | Sticks for Fetch | Hartz, Outward Hound, Kong |
| 5. | Treat-dispenser toys for Fetch | iFetch, PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher, Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel |
Popular Brands of Fetch Toys
The table above lists some of the popular brands for different types of fetch toys including balls, retrieval toys, frisbees, sticks, and treat-dispenser toys. Each column in the table includes an item (e.g., balls, frisbees) and a variety of brands associated with each category.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve covered some of the most important training commands for dogs. While there are many more commands and concepts that can be taught, these ten are a great place to start.
Remember that consistency and patience will be key in your pup’s training journey. It may take some time before they learn all of these commands, but with practice and perseverance, your pooch will soon be following all of your orders like a good boy!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you in training your furry friend:
10 Commands Every Dog Should Know: The article explains how to teach basic obedience commands, like ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘come,’ to your dog, and the benefits of training.
Basic Dog Training Commands: This post lists the essential commands your dog should know and how to train them with positive reinforcement techniques.
Effective Dog Commands: A tutorial on the importance of using effective dog commands and tips for teaching your dog different cues, including hand signals, and voice commands.
FAQs
What are some common dog training commands?
Some common dog training commands include ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ ‘come,’ ‘heel,’ ‘down,’ and ‘leave it.’
How can I train my dog to respond to commands?
You can train your dog to respond to commands by using positive reinforcements such as treats, praise, and toys. Also, training your dog should be consistent, relevant, and straightforward.
When should I start to train my puppy?
The best time to start training your puppy is between 8 to 12 weeks old. It’s important to teach them obedience training and essential commands at an early age to have a well-trained and disciplined dog.
Can dogs learn commands in multiple languages?
Yes, dogs have an excellent ability to learn commands in various languages as long as the commands are consistent and reinforced.
What should I do if my dog doesn’t respond to commands?
If your dog doesn’t know a particular command, you should break the command into smaller parts and reward them for learning each step. When your dog is consistent in individual components, combine it as one whole command and praise them for the achievement.
My name is Dr. Hellen James, and I am a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience in pets training. My qualifications are that I have been involved in the pet industry since I was 16 years old. I have worked as a groomer, dog trainer, and veterinarian.
