So you’ve decided to start the dog training journey and are looking for some guidance. Well, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll walk you through the top 9 dog training commands that you absolutely need for obedience in the home. Whether you have a senior dog or a puppy, it is never too late to teach any dog new tricks.
We know that beginning this journey can be overwhelming and you’ll undoubtedly make mistakes along the way, but don’t worry, you are not alone.
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks
It’s important not to buy into the misconception that old dogs can’t learn. As a dog trainer, I’ve come across many clients that have been successful in teaching basic obedience to their senior dogs. Before we start to teach them however, we must take in to account their overall health. For example, if a dog has arthritis or any type of joint issues, we would want to modify commands to accommodate those. After all, I think it would be cruel to tell a dog to sit when it is painful for them to do so. Keep this in mind when teaching your dog these commands.
Puppies have short attention spans
Although puppies are often eager and excited to learn, they tend to always want to jump from activity to activity. For this reason, it is suggested that your training sessions with your dogs be kept down between 5-15minutes. We want a dog to be happy and interested in training. If it becomes a chore then they’ll lose interest, which will hinder their willingness to learn.
Why are dog training commands important
Dogs do not speak our language. They don’t know what it is we want them to do. Dog training commands are a way to communicate with our dogs in a fast and efficient manner. They can be given by hand gestures and/or vocal cues. It is important that when we teach a dog a specific command, we keep everything looking and sounding exactly the same. A common example of this is interchanging “Down” and “Lay down.” This simple and seemingly insignificant change can really confuse your dog.
Items needed to start training
My favorite treat to use during training sessions are beef liver treats. I stick to one ingredient treats as they are packed with nutrients and won’t fill the dogs up with unnecessary preservatives.
6ft leashes are the standard size. Try to stay away from retractable leashes until your pup has an understanding of proper walking on leash. Slip leashes are a great starting point because it allows more control without hurting a dogs neck. 15 ft leashes are great for controlling your environment in terms of safety, and it also guarantees success for your pup when introducing the recall command.
Here is your list for the top 9 most essential dog training commands.
1. Sit
Sit is most often the first dog training command learned and it is one that will be useful on an everyday basis.
2. Down
The “down” command is a submissive position for your dog, so it’ll take longer for a dog to willingly go down on command. Patience is key. Remember that making the experience a positive one, will not only teach your dog the command, but establish a good relationship between the two of you.
3. Stay
The “stay” command will teach your dog patience and self-control, which is why it’s an important command to teach puppies early on. Staying for long periods of time is something you’ll need to build up to, so be patient. Don’t expect your puppy to stay for minutes at a time in the beginning, let’s make sure we set them up for success. Repetitions are the key to success here.
4. Stand
Stand is a helpful command to use when you need your dog to move around. Using it during bath time for example, enables you to move your dog around without using force.
5. Look
“Look” is an extremely important command outdoors. Dogs (especially puppies) will inevitably get distracted by a myriad of things. The world is full of sights, scents, and sounds so this command allows them to refocus and get back in tune with you.
6. Come
Recalls can be life saving as it allows you to reliably call your dog in any situation and have them return immediately. A reliable “come” command can prevent a dog from running off and getting lost, or being in danger of getting hit by a car.
7. Heel
The heel command will likely be the most time consuming dog training command to teach. It takes practice, repetition, and proper guidance on your part but if you stick with it, the results will be rewarding. You and your dog will be enjoying walks in no time!
Below is a video demonstration of what these steps should look like:
8. Wait
Unlike the “stay” command which requires a dog to not move for long periods of time, the “wait” command alerts your dog to stop for a few seconds. This command is useful when crossing the street, getting into the car, and when leaving the house for a walk. The “wait” command informs your dog that they need to pause for a few seconds and wait for the next command.
9. Place
This command teaches the dog where their special place is as well as teaching them to give you space when you need it. It’s helpful to have a place to send your dog to when you have guests over or when the doorbell rings.
It is only the beginning…
These 9 dog training commands will put you on the right track to gaining a great relationship with your best friend. You’re here because you want to learn and you care about your dog, so keep that in mind when you feel overwhelmed. This guide is only the beginning. There will likely be issues you encounter along the way, and there will always be more to learn, so don’t get discouraged. Take it one step at a time and know that you are learning just like your dog is. Ultimately, it is about the bond you create with your dog and the happiness it brings to you both.
The beauty about dog training is that there are always many different ways to teach a dog a command. What techniques have you tried?
If you’d like to learn about more techniques and more ways to bond with your best friend, don’t forget to subscribe to receive more information. Happy training!