As a dog owner, it’s important to teach your furry friend basic commands. Not only will it make your life easier, but it will also keep your dog safe and well-behaved. In this article, we’ll go over the most important dog commands every pup should know. From sit to stay, we’ve got you covered. So grab some treats and let’s get started!
Why Teach Your Dog Commands?
Before we dive into the specific commands, let’s talk about why it’s important to teach your dog commands. First and foremost, it keeps your pup safe. If your dog knows how to come when called, for example, you can prevent them from running into traffic or getting lost. Secondly, teaching your dog commands strengthens your bond with them. When your dog listens to you, it shows that they trust and respect you. Finally, having a well-behaved dog makes life easier for both you and your pup. You’ll be able to take your dog to more places and have more fun together if they know how to behave.
The Basic Commands
There are a few basic commands that every dog should know. These commands will lay the foundation for more advanced training later on. Here are the five basic dog commands:
Sit
The sit command is one of the easiest commands to teach your dog. Hold a treat above your dog’s head and say “sit”. Your dog will naturally lower their body to look up at the treat. As soon as their bottom hits the ground, give them the treat and lots of praise. Repeat this process until your dog sits on command.
The “sit” command is useful in a variety of situations. For example, you can tell your dog to sit before crossing the street or before greeting a new person.
Source: bing.comStay
The stay command is important for keeping your dog safe in potentially dangerous situations. To teach your dog to stay, start by telling them to sit. Then, say “stay” and take a step back. If your dog stays in place, give them a treat and lots of praise. If they get up, say “no” and start again. Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog as they get better at staying in place.
You can use the “stay” command when you need to leave your dog alone for a short period of time, such as when you’re carrying groceries into the house or answering the door.
Source: bing.comCome
The come command is essential for keeping your dog safe and under control. To teach your dog to come, start by putting a leash on them. Then, say “come” and gently pull on the leash. When your dog comes to you, give them a treat and lots of praise. Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog as they get better at coming when called.
You can use the “come” command when your dog is off-leash and you need them to return to you, such as when you’re at the park or on a hike.
Source: bing.comDown
The down command is useful for keeping your dog calm and under control. To teach your dog to lie down, start by telling them to sit. Then, hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly lower it to the ground. When your dog lies down, give them the treat and lots of praise. Repeat this process until your dog lies down on command.
The “down” command is helpful in a variety of situations, such as when you’re at a restaurant or when you need your dog to stay calm in a crowded area.
Source: bing.comHeel
The heel command is useful for keeping your dog close to you while walking. To teach your dog to heel, start by putting them on a leash. Then, hold a treat at your side and say “heel”. Walk a few steps and reward your dog with the treat if they stay by your side. If they pull or try to go in a different direction, say “no” and start again.
The “heel” command is helpful when you’re walking in a crowded area or when you need your dog to stay close to you for their safety.
Source: bing.comAdvanced Commands
Once your dog has mastered the basic commands, you can move on to more advanced training. Here are a few advanced commands that are useful for everyday life:
Leave it
The leave it command is useful for preventing your dog from eating something harmful or unwanted. To teach your dog to leave it, start by putting a treat on the ground. When your dog goes to eat it, say “leave it” and cover the treat with your hand. When your dog stops trying to get the treat, give them a different treat and lots of praise.
You can use the “leave it” command when your dog tries to eat something they shouldn’t, such as a piece of chocolate or a toxic plant.
Source: bing.comDrop it
The drop it command is useful for preventing your dog from chewing on something they shouldn’t. To teach your dog to drop it, start by giving them a toy or object to hold in their mouth. Then, say “drop it” and hold a treat in front of their nose. When your dog drops the toy, give them the treat and lots of praise.
You can use the “drop it” command when your dog picks up something they shouldn’t, such as a shoe or a piece of furniture.
Source: bing.comSpeak
The speak command is useful for teaching your dog to bark on command. To teach your dog to speak, start by saying “speak” and making a barking noise yourself. When your dog barks, give them a treat and lots of praise. Repeat this process until your dog barks on command.
The “speak” command can be used to get your dog’s attention or to entertain friends and family.
Source: bing.comConclusion
Teaching your dog commands is an important part of being a responsible dog owner. By teaching your pup basic commands like sit, stay, come, down, and heel, you can keep them safe and well-behaved. Once your dog has mastered these commands, you can move on to more advanced training like leave it, drop it, and speak. With patience, consistency, and lots of treats, you can train your dog to be the best-behaved pup on the block!
