Top 5 Dog training Command Tips

Sit:

Teaching your dog to sit is one of the most basic dog commands to teach your pup, making it an excellent place to begin. A dog who understands the “Sit” command is much calmer and easier to control than a dog who has not been taught this simple command. Furthermore, the “Sit” command prepares your dog for more difficult commands like “Stay” and “Come.”

Here’s how to teach your dog to “Sit”:

Bring a treat up to your dog’s nose.

Move your hand up, causing his head to follow the treat and his bottom to drop.

Say “Sit,” give him the treat, and share affection once he’s in a sitting position.

Repeat this sequence several times per day until your dog understands it.

Come:

The word “come” is another important command for your dog to learn. This command comes in handy when you lose your grip on the leash or accidentally leave the front door open. Again, this command is simple to teach and will help keep your dog out of mischief.

Put a collar and a leash on your dog.

Go down to his level and gently pull on the leash while saying, “Come.”

When he approaches you, show him affection and a treat.

Remove the leash and continue to practice the command in a safe, enclosed area once he has mastered it.

Down:

This is one of the more difficult dog training commands to teach. This command may be difficult for your dog to learn because it requires him to be in a submissive posture. You can help your dog by keeping training positive and relaxed, especially if your dog is fearful or anxious. Remember to always praise your dog when he successfully follows the command.

Hold a particularly tasty treat in your closed fist.

Bring your hand up to your dog’s snout. When he sniffs it, move your hand to the floor so he can follow.

Then, in front of him, run your hand along the ground to encourage his body to follow his lead.

Say “Down,” give him the treat, and share affection once he’s in the down position.

Repeat this exercise every day. If your dog tries to sit up or lunges at your hand, simply say “No” and remove your hand. Don’t force him down, and reward every step your dog takes toward the correct position. After all, he’s putting in the effort to figure it out!

Stay:

The “Stay” cue, like the “Sit” command, will make your dog easier to control. This command can be useful in a variety of situations, such as when you want your dog out of the way while you do household chores or when you don’t want your dog to overwhelm guests.

Make sure your dog is an expert at the “Sit” cue before attempting to teach him this command. Take the time to practice the “Sit” command with him before moving on to the “Stay” cue if he hasn’t yet mastered it.

First, instruct your dog to “Sit.”

Then, open your palm in front of you and say, “Stay.”

Retrace your steps. Give him a treat as a reward if he stays as instructed.

Increase the number of steps you take before giving the treat gradually.

Always give your dog a treat for staying put, even if it’s only for a few seconds.

This is a self-control exercise for your dog, so don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to master, especially for puppies and high-energy dogs. After all, most dogs would rather be moving than sitting and waiting.

Leave it:

This final command can help keep your dog safe when his curiosity gets the best of him, such as when he smells something interesting but potentially dangerous on the ground. The goal is to teach your dog that ignoring the other item earns him something even better.

Put a treat in each of your hands.

“Leave it,” show him one enclosed fist with the treat inside.

Ignore his licking, sniffing, mouthing, pawing, and barking to get the treat.

Give him the treat from the other hand when he stops trying.

Rep until your dog moves away from your fist when you say “Leave it.”

Then, only give your dog the treat when he looks up at you while moving away from the first fist.

You’re ready to step it up when your dog consistently moves away from the first treat and makes eye contact with you when you say the command. Use two different treats for this next training method: one that is good but not particularly appealing and one that is particularly good-smelling and tasty for your pup.

“Leave it,” then place the unappealing treat on the floor and cover it with your hand.

Wait until your dog turns away from the treat and looks at you. Then take that treat off the floor, give him the better treat, and immediately show affection.

Place the less-than-appealing treat on the floor, but don’t completely cover it with your hand. Instead, place your hand slightly above the treat. Gradually move your hand farther and farther away until it is about 6 inches above the ground.

He’s now ready to practice standing up with you! Follow the same steps as before, but if he tries to grab the less-appealing treat, cover it with your foot.

Don’t rush through teaching your dog any of these dog training commands. Keep in mind that you’re asking a lot of your dog. If you increase the difficulty and he still struggles, return to the previous stage.

This list of dog commands can help you protect your dog from danger and improve your communication with him. Taking the time to teach your puppy these common dog commands is well worth the time and effort you put in.

Remember, training takes time. So, are you ready to start a dog-obedience training session?