Puppy Obedience Training – A dog that knows commands is more controllable, in whose behavior you can be confident. This is not only convenient for the owner, but also important from the point of view of the safety of the dog itself, surrounding people, and other animals.
In this article, we will look at why to teach commands and which ones first, how the learning process should be structured, and what mistakes are best avoided during classes.
Here’s a breakdown of your excellent overview of basic dog commands, along with key takeaways and some considerations for training success:
Key Takeaways
- Safety First: Basic obedience ensures your dog stays safe and doesn’t pose a risk to themselves or others.
- Foundation for Success: These core commands form the building blocks for further training, whether it’s for fun or professional work.
- Control & Freedom: A dog that reliably obeys commands can enjoy greater off-leash freedom– a happier life for both dog and owner!
- Partnership Building: Training strengthens your bond with your dog, making your relationship more fulfilling.
- Customization is Key: Choose commands that make sense for your lifestyle and your dog’s personality. Don’t feel pressured to teach them all!
Additional Considerations for Success
- Puppyhood is Prime Time: Start basic obedience early! Puppies learn quickly and will develop excellent habits from the start.
- Find Your Dog’s “Currency”: What treat, toy, or praise motivates your dog the most? Use that to accelerate learning.
- Break it Down: Complex commands are best taught in smaller steps. Reward progress along the way!
- Short and Sweet: Keep training sessions brief (especially with puppies) to prevent frustration and maintain a positive vibe.
- Seek Help When Needed: If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to consult a dog trainer or behaviorist. They can address specific challenges.
Let’s Talk About Your Puppy!
- How old is your puppy?
- Do you have specific commands in mind that would be most useful for your everyday life?
- Are there any behaviors you’re hoping to improve through training?
Let’s start shaping a training plan to help your puppy become a well-mannered companion!
What Is Dog Training Commands?
A command in dog breeding is a signal sent by a person, in response to which the dog performs a certain sequence of actions. The signal can be:
- Sound: In most cases, voice, but whistles, finger snaps, and claps are also used;
- Gestural: Mainly hand movements, but also involving facial expressions and body movements.
The use of dog commands allows you to guide your dog in important and sometimes critical situations (stop it, preventing a collision with danger), and also provides comfort in interacting with it.
The volume of commands learned and the technique of their execution will vary greatly depending on the purpose for which they are mastered: to establish interaction with the dog and its socialization, to participate in canine sports, in training competitions, or to prepare for service.
The words command and training may have negative associations among dog lovers and supporters of the humane treatment of dogs.
But when applied to raising dogs, these words are neutral. Training can be made enjoyable and exciting for your dog. Moreover, you need to strive to ensure that he exercises with pleasure, with positive reinforcement – this is precisely the approach, according to research, that is most effective.
Why Teach A Dog Commands?
An obedient dog, at a minimum, will not eat unsafe food on the street, will not chew furniture, will not chase a ball that is rolling onto the roadway, and will not jump on people to express emotions and greet.
If you list all the reasons for studying, you will get reasons for teaching and training your dog:
Ensure Puppy Safety:
The pup will not run away, will not jump out in front of the car, will not provoke other animals, and will not pick up potentially dangerous objects while walking.
Easier To Perform The Necessary Manipulations To The Dog:
With a trained dog it is easier to perform the necessary manipulations. Trim the claws when the “Lie down” command has been mastered; wash when he stands on command; give injections if he knows the “Freeze” command.
The Pup Learn Not To Cause Inconvenience To Others In Obedience Training:
A well-mannered dog does not cause inconvenience to others. It does not rush towards children, risking scaring them, does not bark at cyclists, and therefore does not provoke emergencies.
Dog Training Keeps the Dog Busy:
Training allows you to keep the dog busy, “strain” its head and also provides a positive outlet for accumulated energy. This is especially important for puppies and young individuals, whose restlessness and energy are fraught with chewed shoes, damaged repairs, and stolen food from the table;
- A trained dog becomes a real companion that you can take on a visit, to work, or on a trip;
- It will be a joy to visit any place with her: from dog-friendly cafes to foreign exhibitions;
- During the training process, the pet’s needs for attention and contact are satisfied;
- Finally, this is another reason to be proud of your four-legged friend.
Training Tips And Tricks To Teach Your Dog Basic Obedience Commands:
The list of commands that can be taught is quite extensive. However, it is difficult to count how many teams there are. For example, the command “Fetch” can be transformed into commands if you add the names of objects to it: “Bring a ball”, “Bring slippers” and so on. So, see below
Dog Reply on Name”:
The first command that a puppy learns is to respond to its name. Essentially, this is a signal that you need to focus on the owner’s subsequent instructions, that is, an analog of the “Attention!” command. Training occurs in this way: the owner, before feeding the dog, pronounces its name in a soft and friendly tone.
Later, upon hearing his name, the puppy will begin to look at the owner and approach him. This action needs to be reinforced through encouragement – treats and praise, stroking.
“To Me”:
One of the main commands assumes that the dog, when called by the owner, will run up to him, even without a leash, even if he is passionate about the game, even if his attention is attracted by an interesting stimulus.
Mastering a command occurs in a similar way to mastering a nickname, but gradually the distance increases and the conditions in which obedience is required become more complicated.
Even if a malfunction occurs and the dog does not respond to the command, you cannot scold it, so as not to reinforce the association that when approaching the owner, punishment will follow. You need to go back a few steps and start practicing the call from a shorter distance.
“Fu and You Can’t” To The Dog:
Extremely important commands that indicate that the dog is required to stop an action that it has started or intends to perform shortly.
Commands allow you to prevent situations such as picking up food that has fallen from the table, sniffing a dead bird, or chasing a ball that has flown out of the playground.
As a rule, there are shades of the prohibition implied in these commands: “Ugh!” means that the action must be stopped and not returned. “It is forbidden!” – this is a softer prohibition, often temporary, which is sometimes followed by “It’s possible.”
“Sit”:
A fairly simple command that can be convenient if the dog needs to be focused and calmed down. The dog must be allowed to smell the treat, then say the command and begin to move the hand with the treat over its head back. Wanting to reach the treat without losing his balance, he will sit down. You can help your dog with your free hand, slightly pointing his body down.
“Lie”:
The command to lie down is even more useful for active puppies, as it trains endurance. In addition, it is more difficult to move from this position, unlike standing and sitting positions. This means that in the event of an emergency, the owner will have a few extra moments to restrain the dog with his voice or have time to grab the leash.
“Near”:
This command is necessary on the street, especially if we are talking about a large, strong dog that can easily escape from the owner’s hands. When learning this skill, the pet walks on a short leash, and each time he walks level with the owner’s leg without pulling on the leash, encouragement follows.
“Go For a Walk”:
One of the dog’s favorite commands, which means that you can stop walking nearby and go for a walk without a leash, at a free pace in the owner’s line of sight.
The command itself is an encouragement, so it is mastered without much effort. To teach a command, you should first command something then praise, say “Walk”, indicate the direction of movement with your hand, and run a few steps, setting the pace.
Conclusion:
Except for a few basic ones, all other skills should be mastered based on the motivation and needs of the owner and dog.
There is no strict list of commands that must be remembered and executed. You can choose only those that suit the lifestyle of the pet and its owner. Moreover, you can independently come up with teams that will become the highlight of the joint partnership.
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