A well-behaved and respectful dog that obeys all commands is the ultimate goal for every dog owner. It is possible to start teaching your dog basic commands right after you get them home, your wish will come true.
A lot of novice pet owners believe that puppies aren’t able to focus on their spans and aren’t able to be taught from a young age, but that’s not the case! Training for your dog starts the moment you take them home and continues throughout the rest of their lives.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve taken in an older dog or adopted the first puppy of your own It’s never too late to begin teaching your dog the essential dog-training commands.
I’m still reminiscing about the great amusement my dog and I had while training for our puppy Looking back, I’m very grateful for the fact that we began training from the beginning.
Over the years, these simple commandments have saved the life of my dogs on more than one occasion. I am convinced that every dog needs to know the five most important commands for obedience today.
To assist you in achieving this and getting your dog on the right path I’ll give you five commands that all dogs need to know and tell that you can teach your dog these commands. Read on to learn more!
The Importance Of Teaching Your Dog Commands
There is a huge importance of training your dog is something that can’t be stressed enough! If your dog isn’t properly trained and has a solid understanding of basic commands for dogs your dog will be a bit unruly and difficult to control during walks and may be struck by a car or injured in another way.
First of all, a well-trained dog won’t tug off the leash while walking. Dogs that are trained to obey how to respond with the “come” command are less likely to wander off and get hit by a vehicle or attacked by a group of dogs who wander around. In addition, training your pet to “leave it” can literally save their life should they encounter a poisonous wild mushroom or another kind of hazardous substance wandering around.
Before you can begin teaching your dog basic commands, you must become acquainted with the dog’s training methods and methods. Positive reinforcement can help get your dog on the right path and assist you in establishing good behavior and promoting obedience.
The concept behind this kind of method of instruction is to incite the behavior you want to encourage using something your dog enjoys. In the majority of dogs, it’s hard to find something more motivating than food. Therefore, you could make high-value snacks like small pieces of cooked chicken breasts, low-fat cheese, or dog kibble as a way to reward. Apart from treats, you can also make use of rewards or the dog’s favorite toys to inspire desired behavior.
Before I begin with the comprehensive dog training command list be sure to keep your training sessions brief and simple. In just 10-15 minutes per day is all that will be required for your pup or dog to master the basic dog training commands in one or two weeks.
If your dog is having trouble mastering an unfamiliar command, you should end the session before. Don’t end the lesson by instructing your dog to follow an order they know and then congratulating them for their hard work.
Maintaining a positive attitude throughout the course and concluding each session with a positive attitude is crucial! This will keep your dog curious and will improve the chances to teach your pet to obey at home.
If you’ve just welcomed a new puppy home and aren’t sure what commands to introduce them to first then this is the best place to begin. Below, you’ll see a list of dog commands to train your dog that will become the mainstay of your puppy’s training and could even be helpful in dealing with issues with behavior.
Five Essential Commands To Teach Your Dog
As I mentioned earlier The dog that is taught to obey your instructions can be more hesitant to wander in danger while outdoors. Don’t waste a second teaching your dog obedience now, starting with:
1. The Heel Command
If you’ve ever met owners who have to chase their dog to keep from being dragged across the asphalt It’s likely that they’ve not taught their pet to “heel.” If you would like to be the one that walks your dog with no fear of being pulled around like puppets then this is the first rule you’ll need to teach your dog.
For obedience classes, “heel” means that your dog is walking on your left with their heads aligned with your knees, and not pulling the leash. The aim of teaching the puppy “heel” is to teach that they walk at a slow pace on a leash that is loose without being pulled around or dictated to the pace.
Remember that professional trainers may make use of “let’s go” or “forward” instead of “heel” as a cue. However, you are free to use any cue you like so long as you make use of the same word for the cue.
Before you begin teaching your dog to “heel,” you should ensure that they aren’t opposed to walking on leashes. Young puppies may try to bite the leash the first few times, but it will cease as your dog becomes comfortable with being tied. To help your dog get familiar with a leash offer them a snack every time you put the leash onto their collar.
Begin by standing next to your dog and keep the leash in your hands and provide your dog with numerous treats when sitting or standing next to your leg. Next, move one step forward and encourage your dog to follow you by giving them a reward. Keep walking and feeding your pup treats for as long as they’re at the same height as your knee.
If your dog is able to get towards you, or pulls off the leash, turn around, walk in the reverse direction and ask your pup to follow. When they arrive at you, congratulate them and offer them a reward and continue walking.
As your dog’s lessons increase, begin to give them smaller amounts of treats. Instead of rewarding your dog for every step, reward your dog at every 5th step, and then on. At some point, you will see your dog walking in peace with you every time you’re away.
2. The Sit Command
Learning to teach your dog to sit is among the most fundamental commands you can teach them, which makes it an excellent command to begin. Being able to sit helps your dog learn harder commands, such as “come” and “stay.”
To teach your dog how to sit, place them close to them by using the lure of a treat and putting it right before your dog’s nose. Don’t let your dog take the treat in their hands; instead, gently lift the treat above their head. In this scenario, the majority of dogs will be able to sit and raise their heads in order to be closer to the treat.
When your dog’s bottom touches the floor, hand them a reward. Repeat the same process several times, before using your hands to entice your dog to sit. Keep with the praise and reward for your dog once they have sat.
Once your dog is able to recognize the hand signal to sit and you begin to say “sit” before you give the hand signal. With a little patience, time and lots of treats and praise your dog will sit in a manner that is consistent every time.
3. The Stay Command
“Sit” or the “stay” command is another fundamental cue that can assist you in controlling your dog. Before you attempt to teach the dog how to remain, ensure that they are familiar with the command “sit” properly. If your dog doesn’t understand how to sit when you say it then spend time learning this command prior to moving on to using the “stay” cue.
Begin by telling your dog to sit, then place your palm before you and repeat, “Stay.” Wait several seconds and then praise and reward your dog for being patient. Repeat the process several times more and then reward your dog with treats for following the instructions.
Then, you can request your dog to sit. Then, you can take a step back, and ask your dog to remain. In three minutes, walk towards your dog, offer the dog treats, and praise them for remaining in their place. Gradually increase the number of steps you take before offering your pet sweets and rewards for remaining at a certain place.
Be aware that you must never fail to praise your dog even if they remain still for only several seconds. The process of learning the “stay” command isn’t easy for every dog therefore take your time and be consistent with your training in order to see the improvements.
4. The Come When Called Command
The command “come when called which is also referred to in the form of “recall,” is one of the most significant commands your puppy will learn. But, recall is an extremely difficult command to master, which is why it is important to begin training your dog early, preferring at a time between 6 and 8 weeks old.
Ask your puppy to sit down and then lay on the ground, directly in front of them, and start to repeat their name or say “come” enthusiastically. Your puppy will not have to travel far to reach you, and when they have, offer them treats as well as lots of praise.
If you want to try again Do the same procedure but sit just a few feet from your dog. Make sure to call your dog quickly and praise them a lot when they are able to run to your side. Practice the come command inside by gradually increasing the distance you have between yourself and your dog.
If your dog’s recall appears stable indoors, it’s time to begin practicing outside in a fenced-in garden or backyard. When your dog appears competent enough to come when you call him outdoors despite the many distractions, it’s time to take things up a gear and take your dog out to play.
Start by using a long line of training to provide your dog with an experience of independence even while you are in control. Ask your dog to return several times while in the lead. You can also provide high-quality treats and plenty of praise each time they come around you.
If your dog does not respond to your messages or decides to run off in the other direction do not pursue them. Instead, run in the other direction as if you’re trying to run away from your pet. It may sound terrifying however your dog is likely to stop their search and start following you until they catch up with you.
Reward, praise as well as reward your dog every time it’s practicing good recall. Whatever way you are, you should never shout, punish, or hit your pet when they haven’t responded, since it will make them more nervous about coming when you next need them.
5. How To Teach A Dog To Lie Down
“Lie down” is another essential dog command that can help you gain management over your pet. You can also help them lie on the floor at the cue. Take a treat with you in your hands and start slowly lowering it away through your dog’s nose until it reaches the floor. Your dog is likely to follow the treat until they reach the floor. When they’re lying down, offer them the treat as well as lots of praise.
Keep practicing by giving them treats a few more times. Then give your dog a treat and praise in a rousing manner every time they lie down. After a few times begin bringing an empty hand onto the floor, and then offering your dog a treat after they have sunk down.
When you are sure your dogs respond to your hand signals, begin telling your dog to “lie down” as you move your hands to the floor. Continue to practice and reward your dog’s efforts Soon enough, they’ll be able to lie down when you signal them to do so, without reward.
FAQs About Commands To Teach Your Dog
What Are The Seven Basic Dog Commands?
According to the well-known trainer for dogs Brandon McMillan, the seven fundamental dog commands are sit down, stay as well as come, go the leash, heel, and not. Knowing these commands from an early age can allow your dog to grow to become a well-behaved and respectful dog that doesn’t pull on the lead or pursue squirrels if you tell them to get off.
In What Order Should I Teach My Dog Commands?
Each dog must learn the fundamental commands that follow the order to sit, down, stay come, and heel. You should begin teaching your dog to obey the “heel” command first and proceed to sit down, stay and come. Most important is that you don’t teach your puppy with the “stay” cue or “come” signal before you teach them to sit.
What Is The First Command You Should Teach A Dog?
There isn’t an agreement on what should be the primary instruction to give dogs. If you speak to trainers for dogs, the majority will advise you to teach “sit” first. The bottom line is that you cannot fail no matter the subject matter you’re teaching when you begin teaching the basic dog commands your dog will be able to use throughout the remainder of its existence.
What Is The Best Method To Train A Dog?
Seven different methods for dog training are used in common and assist you in learning and teach obedience and commands for your pet. The positive reinforcement method is among the most effective methods of training and promotes positive behavior by providing treats as rewards, praise, and treats.
The principle of the concept of positive reinforcement is to employ rewards to promote the behavior you would like to observe from your dog. Unwanted behavior is, on the other hand is disregarded, instructing a dog that each behavior triggers a reaction that could be either positive (reward) and positive (reward) or negative (no rewards).
What Is The Best Age To Train A Dog?
The ideal age to begin training a dog is when they are still young and between seven and eight weeks old. Although many believe that puppies have very short attention spans and aren’t able to learn as they are young, this isn’t the reality. Young puppies tend to can pick up quickly in this period and are much more easy to train than once they become older and more independent.
To get the best results, begin the process of training your puppy from the moment you return them to your home, with positive reinforcement. Even if you decide to adopt an adult dog do not be discouraged; with patience, high-value rewards and consistent training and you’ll be able teach your dog to obey no matter what age.
Conclusion
Begin teaching basic commands of your dog to your pet as they grow up to ensure they grow into confident and well-behaved adult dogs. Knowing what to do to show paw help your dog become a hit with children, knowing when to obey when asked can help keep your pet away from danger. The most important commands that your dog should know are:
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Come
- Heel
The earlier you begin training dogs, the more quickly they’ll master the basic commands and acquire more advanced commands and tricks.