When you teach your dog the basic commands, it helps you live easier lives and be happy together. It will also aid you when dealing with your dog’s problem behaviors now or in the future.
You can start them with obedience training, or you can do it yourself only if you have the right mindset and practice calm, assertive energy, and have the patience.
The key to teaching your dog the basic commands is to teach the commands in 5-10 minutes sessions and repeat it throughout the day and in the next few days. Repetition, practice, and consistency is the key. Offer treats and lots of praise as a reward for a job well done all the time. Initially, it is best to teach your dog in a quiet place and then alternate practicing the different commands at home, in a park, or any other public area. This reinforces the commands mean the same regardless of the surroundings.
9 Basic Dog Commands
1. COME
A good way to start the come command is to say “Come” when you see your dog coming towards you then praise him. Teaching your dog the come command this way will be less intense and rewarding for you and your dog.
2. SIT
After the command Come, Sit is the next command to teach your dog. Instead of pushing down on your dog’s rear end, place one hand on his lower back and one hand under his chest. Then, say “Sit” while at the same time applying downward pressure on the back and upward pressure on your dog’s chest. Give him lots of praise and reward your dog with treats for sitting on command.
3. STAY
Once your dog can sit, he will be ready to learn to stay. Say “Sit” then award him with a treat. And then, place your hand in front of the dog’s nose and say, “Stay.” Start backing away with your hand still out. Say “Good” when he stays in place, and release the dog to come to you for a reward in a few seconds. Repeat this a few times, making the interval of staying longer until he can stay on command for up to a minute.
The 3 D’s: Distance, Duration, and Distraction.
Initially, practice the stay command in a quiet place, when he has mastered this, expose him to different environments: home, park, and other public places to reinforce that stay means stay regardless of the surroundings.
4. DOWN
The most effective way to teach him the Down command is to lure him to the ground with a treat or food. Say “Down” while guiding your dog into position, and he’s lying on his belly. Give him the treat after and praise your dog.
5. LEAVE IT
This is one of the most important things you can teach because it can ensure his safety. When we issue this command, it should divert his attention from whatever has caught his eyes. The best way to teach your dog the “Leave It” command is to get his attention and offer a distraction. Work on this command in different situations until your dog learns that this command means to stop what he is doing and to look to you for what to do next.
6. HEEL
Training your dog to walk right by our side is essential for our dog’s safety. To get our dog to heel, we use a leash to pull the dog forward. A more effective technique is to use a treat. Stand next to your dog, hold a treat in your hand at hip level on the same side as the dog. Take three steps, saying “Heel” one time as you do so. When your dog has seen the treat, he will follow your command. Repeat this for 5-10 minutes each day. Give your dog the treat, and offer him lots of praise.
7. Train to WALK with you
It is vital to walk your dog because it gives you both plenty of exercise and socialization, but most importantly, an opportunity to spent time and bond with your dog.
It doesn’t come naturally for a dog to walk on a leash with you as its owner; it requires training. Teach your dog to heel, and stay by your side. You must teach him not to pull the leash or to break away from you.
8. RELAX
This is to teach your dog how to “time out” Issue the command place or relax, and your dog’s response is to go the designated spot and lie down until you call him back. It is best to teach this command when you observe your dog to be wound up or constantly pacing around. Place the leash and allow him to continue for a bit. Then say the command “Relax”, and gently guide him to the designated place, where you will put your foot over the leash to keep him in place while he lies down.
Initially, you may need to put your foot 5 minutes or more on the leash until he has calmed himself. Do this for a few sessions until he can retreat to his time out space for a few minutes on your command.
9. Train to let you WIPE his paws before entering the house
Train your dog to allow you to wipe his paws before entering the house.
Dogs are not bothered by dirt or mud on their paws. But we do mind, and it is good to teach our dogs for cleanliness sake. When you are coming from the outdoors, get your dog into a habit of sitting near the door on a mat or towel until you issue a command of inside. Say the command sit, then stay then wipe the dirt and mud from each of his paws.
In Summary
Take your time. Don’t rush. These basic commands will help you keep yourself, your family, and your dog happy and safe. It’s a process, and it takes time. But it’s well worth your time and effort. It improves communication, and you, alongside your dog, will live peaceful and enjoyable lives.
Dog training doesn’t also stop; it’s a lifelong process. Some skills are more important, so you start those first, and as your dog masters a skill, you teach him another one. When you do this, you help your dog have good behavior to prepare your dog to have a lifetime of happiness and companionship with you and your family.
Source
Dog Training, Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Training Man’s Best Friend. Kindle ed
Christopher Collman
Wow!! Truly amazing. I need to share this with my social media platforms. Love it