Dog commands are the most important part of dog training. They provide a strong foundation for an obedient and well-behaved pup. Knowing which commands to use and when, is key in establishing a good relationship between you and your four-legged friend.
The following seven common commands will help you create a solid base:
1. Sit
This is the most basic and important command for dogs to learn, as it establishes good behavior from the start.
It is easy for pets to learn this command, so even those new to training can learn it within a few sessions. Because it’s also a transition command, once your pet knows how to sit, you can move on to teaching other tricks.
2. Down / Laydown
This command helps with controlling your pup’s jumping and is essential for establishing respect in a pack environment.
Lay down/down can also be useful if your pet needs to stay put in an area, or even when playing fetch. When it is at a distance, you can use this command for them to return instead of always having to go and get them.
3. Come
Teaching come is just as important as sit and lay down/down. It is the command that can help you recall your pup if they ever get away from you or if there’s a dangerous situation. While this may be an intimidating task for some dogs, it can be taught with patience and consistency.
Once your pet has mastered come, you can move on to teaching them to come from different directions and greater distances. This will help to ensure that the command is reliable, no matter where your pup may wander off to.
4. Stay
Teaching stay is quite similar to teaching sit or lay down/down, as it requires patience and repetition for a puppy to learn this command. The main difference is that stay requires your pup to remain in one place for a set period of time.
Start by teaching your pup to ‘stay’ for just a few seconds before gradually increasing the amount of time you expect them to stay in one place. If your puppy can successfully stay for extended periods, it means they understand and respect the command. This is an important part of teaching your pup to obey and stay in a designated area if they are ever off-leash.
Finally, it is important to reward your puppy for obeying this command by offering a treat or praise. While you may never need to use the ‘stay’ command with your pup, it is always a good idea to have it in their repertoire of commands. Having your pup stay when asked will come in handy for many situations and can even save their life if they ever encounter danger.
5. No
Some trainers teach both No and Leave It for slightly different situations, such as using No when a dog shouldn’t do something and Leave it for when you want your pup not to investigate an item or situation. However, it is recommended to stick to teaching only the command “No.”
As this can confuse both people and animals, so why not just stick to one all-purpose command that covers everything you don’t want your pup doing.
6. Heel
Heel is used when you want your pup to stay close and walk alongside you, either on their left or right side. This command will help keep your pup safe if they need to travel with you in a crowded area and can also help them stay calm and focused during walks.
Consistency Is Key
With patience, practice, and positive reinforcement, you should be able to teach your puppy to stay. Keep in mind that it may take some time and consistency for your dog to understand the command, so don’t give up if you don’t see results right away. As long as you remain consistent with your training efforts and provide plenty of treats and rewards for good behavior, your pup will soon master then commands that you give it.
Consult a Professional
At ActiveK9 Academy – dog training academy, we can help you and your pup master stay and other important commands. Our experienced trainers have the knowledge, skills and patience to teach your dog to obey commands, no matter what their age or size. We will provide detailed instructions on how to properly command your pup for maximum success, as well as provide one-on-one guidance so that you can
