Training your dog isn't just about teaching them tricks; it's about establishing a strong bond and ensuring their safety and well-being. One fundamental aspect of dog training is teaching essential commands.
These commands help manage your dog's behavior and enhance communication between you and your dog. In this guide, we'll explore 15 essential commands for dog training, along with steps to teach each command effectively.
15 Essential Dog Training Commands
Dogs are smarter than you might think they are. With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog a range of advanced commands. However, it's important to start with the basics and essential commands first. Here are the essential commands you need to teach your dog (ranked from easy to hard).
- Teach your dog to sit
- Teach your dog to come
- Show your dog how to shake hands
- Train your dog to lie down
- Train your dog to leave it
- Encourage your dog to drop it
- Instruct your dog to stay
- Discipline your dog to wait
- Teach your dog to heel
- Discipline your dog to get off
- Guide your dog to fetch
- Encourage your dog to speak
- Show your dog how to jump
- Guide your dog to do potty
- Teach your dog to be quiet
Sit
The "sit" is often the first command taught to dogs as it establishes basic obedience and control. This command is helpful in various situations, such as when you want your dog to greet visitors politely or when you need them to stay still for grooming or veterinary examinations.
To teach your dog to sit, follow these steps:
- Hold a treat close to your dog's nose.
- Slowly raise your hand, allowing your dog's head to follow the treat.
- As your dog's head goes up, their bottom will naturally lower into a sitting position.
- Once your dog is seated, praise them and give them the treat.
Come
The "come" command is essential for calling your dog back to you, especially in emergencies. It's useful for recalling your dog when they're exploring off-leash, ensuring they return promptly and safely to your side.
To teach your dog to come when called, follow these steps:
- Begin in a quiet, distraction-free environment.
- Say your dog's name followed by "come" in a positive tone.
- Encourage your dog to come towards you by patting your legs or using a treat.
- When your dog reaches you, praise them enthusiastically and reward them with a treat.
- Practice the "come" command regularly, slowly increasing the distance and adding distractions.
Shake Hands
The "shake" command teaches your dog to shake paws with you on command. While it may seem like a simple trick, it can be helpful for greeting people in a polite and friendly manner, and it can also be a fun way to engage with your dog and strengthen your bond.
To teach your dog to shake, follow these steps:
- Start by getting your dog to sit in front of you.
- Say "shake" and gently lift your dog's paw with your hand.
- When your dog lifts their paw, praise them and offer a treat as a reward.
- Repeat this process, reducing the hand prompt until your dog responds to the command alone.
Lie Down
The "down" command teaches your dog to lie down on command, promoting calmness and relaxation. It's helpful for settling your dog in various situations, such as when you're dining at a restaurant or when you need them to remain calm during stressful situations like thunderstorms or fireworks.
To teach your dog to lie down, follow these steps:
- Start with a treat in your hand and let your dog see and smell it.
- Slowly lower your hand to the ground in front of your dog, encouraging them to follow the treat.
- As your dog's body lowers to the ground, say "down" in a calm but firm voice.
- Once your dog is lying down, praise them and give them the treat.
Leave It
The "leave it" command teaches your dog to ignore distractions or objects that they shouldn't touch or approach. It's beneficial for preventing your dog from picking up harmful items during walks, such as food scraps or discarded objects.
To teach your dog to leave it, follow these steps:
- Hold a toy in your closed hand and let your dog sniff and paw at it.
- Say "leave it" in a firm tone and wait for your dog to stop trying to get the toy.
- When your dog looks away or loses interest, praise them and give them a treat.
- Repeat this process, gradually increasing the difficulty by using more tempting objects.
Drop It
The "drop it" command teaches your dog to release objects from their mouth on command, preventing them from chewing or swallowing dangerous items. It's helpful for ensuring your dog's safety and preventing them from ingesting harmful objects or substances.
To teach your dog to drop it, follow these steps:
- Start with a toy or object that your dog likes to hold in their mouth.
- Say "drop it" in a calm but assertive tone and offer a treat in exchange for the object.
- When your dog releases the object, praise them and give them the treat.
- Practice the "drop it" command with different objects, increasing the difficulty by degrees.
Stay
The "stay" command is crucial for keeping your dog safe in various situations. It's especially helpful when you need your dog to remain in one place, such as when you're answering the door, crossing a road, or during off-leash activities like hiking or picnicking.
To teach your dog to stay, follow these steps:
- Start with your dog in a sitting position.
- Hold your hand up in a stop gesture and say "stay" in a firm but gentle tone.
- Step back slowly, maintaining eye contact with your dog.
- If your dog remains in place, praise them and give them a treat.
- Gradually increase the duration of the stay as your dog becomes more comfortable with the command.
Wait
The "wait" command teaches your dog to pause and remain in place until given a release cue. It's useful for controlling your dog's movements, such as when you're opening doors or gates, getting out of the car, or when you need them to wait before crossing a road.
To teach your dog to wait, follow these steps:
- Start with your dog on a leash and ask them to sit or stand in place.
- Say "wait" in a calm but firm tone and hold your hand up in a stop gesture.
- Step back a few steps and then return to your dog's side.
- Release your dog with a release cue like "okay" or "free" and praise them for waiting patiently.
Heel
The "heel" command teaches your dog to walk calmly beside you without pulling on the leash. It's useful for maintaining control during walks, preventing your dog from lunging at distractions or other dogs, and promoting good leash manners.
To teach your dog to heel, follow these steps:
- Start with your dog on a leash and hold it close to your body.
- Say "heel" and start walking, keeping your dog's attention focused on you.
- If your dog starts to pull or stray away, gently guide them back to your side with the leash.
- When your dog walks calmly beside you, praise them and offer a treat.
- Practice the "heel" command during short walks, gradually increasing the duration and distractions.
Get Off
The "off" command teaches your dog to get off furniture or people when asked. It's helpful for preventing your dog from jumping on guests, keeping them off furniture you'd prefer them not to be on, and maintaining boundaries within your home.
To teach your dog to get off, follow these steps:
- Say "off" in a firm but gentle tone and gently guide your dog off the furniture or person.
- When your dog complies, praise them and offer a treat as a reward.
- Consistently reinforce the "off" command whenever your dog attempts to jump on furniture or people.
Fetch
The "fetch" command teaches your dog to retrieve objects and bring them back to you. It's beneficial for providing mental and physical stimulation, promoting bonding between you and your dog, and teaching them to focus on a specific task.
To teach your dog to fetch, follow these steps:
- Start with a toy or object that your dog likes to chase and retrieve.
- Throw the object a short distance away from you and encourage your dog to go after it.
- When your dog picks up the object, call them back to you using the "come" command.
- When your dog returns with the object, praise them enthusiastically and offer a treat as a reward.
Speak
The "speak" command teaches your dog to bark on command. While it may seem less practical than other commands, it can be helpful for alerting you to potential dangers or intruders, and it can also serve as a fun and engaging trick for your dog to perform.
To teach your dog to speak, follow these steps:
- Start by getting your dog excited and worked up, such as by playing with their favorite toy.
- Say "speak" in an enthusiastic tone and wait for your dog to bark.
- When your dog barks, praise them and offer a treat as a reward.
- Repeat this process, gradually fading out the initial excitement until your dog responds to the command alone.
Jump
The "jump" command teaches your dog to jump over obstacles or onto surfaces on command. It's helpful for agility training, participating in canine sports like agility or flyball, and for navigating obstacles during outdoor adventures such as hiking or exploring trails.
To teach your dog to jump, follow these steps:
- Start with a low obstacle like a hurdle or platform.
- Encourage your dog to approach the obstacle and say "jump" in an enthusiastic tone.
- Guide your dog over the obstacle using a treat or toy as motivation.
- When your dog successfully jumps, praise them and offer a treat as a reward.
- Gradually increase the height or difficulty of the obstacle as your dog becomes more confident.
Go Potty
The "go potty" command teaches your dog where to go to the bathroom, making potty training easier and more efficient. It's helpful for establishing a routine, reducing accidents indoors, and ensuring your dog knows where it's appropriate to relieve themselves.
To teach your dog the potty command, follow these steps:
- Take your dog to their designated potty area on a leash.
- Say "go potty" in a calm but encouraging tone as your dog eliminates.
- Immediately after your dog finishes, praise them and offer a treat as a reward.
- Repeat this process consistently during potty breaks until your dog associates the command with the act of eliminating.
Potty training is a difficult but essential command that saves you from a lot of hassle. Here is a detailed guide on how you can potty train your puppy or dog.
Be Quiet
The "quiet" command teaches your dog to stop barking on command. t's helpful for controlling excessive barking, especially in situations where barking may be disruptive or annoying to others, such as in apartment buildings or when guests are visiting.
To teach your dog to be quiet, follow these steps:
- Start by waiting for your dog to naturally stop barking.
- Say "quiet" in a calm but firm tone as soon as your dog stops barking.
- When your dog remains quiet, praise them and offer a treat as a reward.
- Repeat this process, slowly increasing the duration of silence before offering the treat.
Dog Training Essentials
While many factors influence how effectively a dog learns a command, if you keep these essentials right, you might not have a hard time training your dog.
- Consistency: Consistency is key in dog training. Use the same commands and gestures consistently to avoid confusion.
- Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding good behavior with treats, praise, or affection is essential. Positive reinforcement encourages your dog to repeat desirable actions. When selecting treats, opt for natural and healthy training treats to promote your dog's health.
- Patience: Every dog learns at its own pace. Be patient and understanding throughout the training process.
- Short Sessions: Keep training sessions short and engaging to maintain your dog's attention and enthusiasm.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Repetition is crucial for learning. Regular practice reinforces commands and helps your dog master them over time.
For e effective training session, you can view our detailed guide on Tips and Tricks to Train Dogs.
Conclusion
Training your dog is a rewarding journey that requires time, effort, and dedication. By teaching them these essential commands, you'll not only improve their behavior but also strengthen your bond and communication. Remember to be patient, and consistent.
Always utilize positive reinforcement techniques using high quality chews. With time and practice, your dog will master these commands and become a well-behaved and obedient companion. Happy training!