Essential Commands Your Dog Needs to Know
5 Essential Commands Your Dog Needs to Know
Sit
This command helps with teaching good manners and is useful for keeping your dog under control.
How to teach your dog to sit
Step 1:
Hold a small treat in your hand and let your dog put his nose to it.
Moving the treat up so they can follow.
This movement encourages them to look up and put their rear end on the floor. Don’t forget to praise them and reward with the treat as soon as your dog is in a sitting position.
Step 2:
Repeat the first step until your dog is readily going into a sit by following the treat lure.
Step 3:
Now try taking away the food lure and instead introduce a hand signal and voice cue such as by saying “sit” and raise your palm to your shoulder.
If your dog sits, praise and reward. If they don’t sit, repeat the hand signal.
Lie down
Down is one of the most basic commands to teach your puppy. This command helps keep your puppy out of trouble and to calm them down.
How to teach your dog to lie down
Step 1:
Hold a smelly treat in your hand, ask your dog to sit.
As soon as they sit, let them sniff the treat.
Then slowly lure their nose down to between their front paws, but still keeping the treat touching their nose.
If they stand up, start over, and ask them to sit again.
As soon as your dog lies down, praise them, and reward them with the treat.
Step 2:
Repeat step ONE until your dog is following the treat lure and lying down consistently.
Step 3:
Now, do it with no treat.
Simply move your hand to the floor and say “down”.
As soon as your dog lies down, reward them a treat.
Stand still
The stand position can make your life easier. imagine cleaning your dog’s paws when they come inside on a rainy day, wouldn’t it be easier if your dog could stand still for the process?
How to teach your dog to stand still
Step 1:
Start by asking your dog to sit or lie down.
Step 2:
Hold a treat in your hand and let your dog sniff it.
As your dog is sniffing the treat, slowly draw the treat horizontally away from them.
Keep the treat by their nose until they stand up.
Praise your dog as soon as they stand.
Step 3:
Now repeat the second step until your dog can go into a stand when lured with the treat.
Then introduce a hand signal and voice cue. Using a treat to lure, move your palm away from your dog’s nose and say “stand”.
Come here
Learning to come when called is probably one of the most essential skills your dog can learn.
How to teach your dog to come
Step 1:
Find a clear area to begin training. This could be your backyard. Let them go explore the area.
Step 2:
Say your dog’s name and say “come”.
Step 3:
Reward your dog with treats once they approach you.
Repeat the steps.
Drop it
This command allows you to get items away from your dog.
Teaching your dog to drop items is also a useful command because it helps your dog bring objects back to your hand rather than leaving them on the floor.
How to teach your dog to drop an item
Step 1:
Find a toy that your dog will let go of.
Try to avoid choosing your dog’s favorite toy as they will act more protective.
Step 2:
As soon as your dog takes the toy, offer your dog a treat. Most dogs will let go of the toy to grab the treat.
At this point, the toy should be on the floor while your dog is eating the treat.
While your dog is eating the treat, pick up the toy and offer it to your dog again.
If your dog loses interest in the toy because the treats, you can change toys.
Step 3:
Repeat the steps so that you know your dog will drop the toy when he hears the click, start to say the “drop it” cue.