5 Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know

So,What are the basic commands to teach your DOG, for it to shape into a well behaved pet? If your dog already responds to your verbal sounds of Sit, Stay, Come, Down and responds well to his name, you should stop reading here and rather shop dog training treats for your wonderful dog  ‘chukles’ . These are the commands that form the cornerstones of obedience training and apply to each and every dog irrespective of its age and breed. You’d be pleasantly amazed to see how their knowledge can help your pet dog escape tough situations including the ones that may threaten its life.

1. The summon command, “Come”: This command can save your dog’s life! Any dog given the opportunity would love to run outdoors and explore anything new and exciting. It could be chasing a squirrel or a cat; sometimes the pursuit can land the canine into trouble and unfamiliar territory. Dog slipping out of its collar while walking on the sidewalk isn’t unheard. What comes handy here is the command ‘come’ ( pun intended)
   
   

   Needless to say running off the yard onto a busy road can cause irreparable damage. Image: Inside Dog’s World magazine

   Dog Training technique for “Come/ Come Here” :

First off, make the canine wear a collar with a leash, although it works with dog harness too, but the learning is quicker for dogs with collars.
Step 2: Bow down to attain the same level as the dog. Say the word ‘come’ and simultaneously pull its leash softly forward.
Step 3: Reward it for responding positively. The idea is to let the dog perfect the command with the leash on before you try out the whole exercise without it.  When practicing without the lead choose a walled space.

2.  “Sit”: Teaching the sit command can be beneficial in a lot of situations including an examination by the vet. Jumping on any one who enters/visits your home is undesirable doggie behavior.

Asking your dog to first ‘Sit’ and letting him wait a little for a loving pat is the right way to greet and meet you or any guest. Image – AKC.org

Training technique for “Sit” command:
Step 1: Bring a yummy dog treat close to the pooch’s nose.
Step 2: Move your hand with the treat slightly up in such a way that the dog’s head goes after it while the rest of the body is lowered down in a sitting pose.
Step 3: Once the sitting position is attained, blurt out the word ‘Sit’ and offer the treat and praise with a loving pet.

You will have to repeat this activity a couple of times each day till the dog learns the command eloquently.  Use the command before you offer it a treat or its dinner. You can also try this each time you want the pet to enter a relaxed state.

3.”Down”: There could be several occasions where you would want a frivolous dog to lie ‘down’ and not disturb you. For instance when you are busy entertaining guests or attending to some household chore. So to say, said position is somewhat a submissive posture and there may be some bumps along the training route.

You need to stay calm while teaching the command and take extra care while working with an anxious dog. Image: www.dummies.com

How to make your dog learn the “Down” command?

Step 1: Select a treat your dog loves the most and enclose it with your fist.
Step 2: Take your hand really close to the dog’s nose, let it catch a whiff of the good smelling treat. Instantly after this place your hand on the floor and encourage the dog’s head to follow.
Step 3: Glide your hand along the floor in front of the canine’s head, this way the dog will be motivated to bring down its entire body on the ground.
Step 4: Once the desired position is attained, say ‘down’ followed by offering him the dog treat and some love.

In case the dog gets up to attack your hand for the treat, utter ‘No’ and immediately move your hand away from it. Remember not to act too pushy with the pooch. Your positive attitude will go a long way in shaping the training process in the right direction. Be patient as the canine acquaints itself with the command.

4.  Making your dog “Stay”: if you want your dog to stay-put in a particular pose/place then you’ll have to use this command. Once the pet dog masters the sit and down command, it’s time for him to learn to ‘stay’! The knowledge of this enables the pooch to stay put until asked to move.
   Dog Training technique for “STAY” command:

Step 1: Encourage the pet to sit.
Step 2: Spread open your palm in front of the dog and speak out, ‘Stay’.
Step3: Step back a little and see if the dog stays on the designated spot. If he does, he deserves a pleasant reward along with affection/praise.
Step 4: Slowly increase the steps you take backwards before offering the reward.
Step 5: Even if your dog stays put just for a few seconds he deserves that tasty treat.

Younger pups and over-enthusiastic dogs may take longer to learn this command. Dogs can learn the stay command even through your gesture. A stretched arm with a flat out palm can also make the dog respond to STAY , however at first you will have to use verbal sounds. Above Image : estimacao.com.br

5. Your Dog’s Name: In a situation where a new dog hasn’t been familiarized with its name, it gets difficult to catch its attention unless you go near it to stop it from making mischief. A dog must be introduced to a name and made used to it right from an early age.
   

   As it is with babies, puppies too develop a natural recognition with their names from an early age. Image: Pinterest

   Saying his ‘name’ first followed by a command that suits the situation will have a greater impact. You’ll first need to get his/her attention, to make it follow the command.
   

Knowledge of these essential commands will not just enrich your dog’s life but also positively impact the humans around it. You’ll be in a better position to communicate with the pet. You are able to save your dog from a tight spot as well as get it to do what is expected of him/her. Remember to keep calm and positive through the journey while the dog takes some time to master said commands.

Article Resources:
www.cesarsway.com/
iheartdogs.com/

Top Image Source (graduation dog): alpines.ca

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