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Training a dog is essential for its well-being and smooth integration into family and social life. Basic commands help establish clear communication between the owner and the dog, ensuring a harmonious life together. Here are the 10 basic commands it is recommended to teach your dog, along with some tips to make learning easier.
The "sit" command is one of the first to teach a puppy. This command helps control the dog’s behavior and capture their attention. The goal is to make the dog sit calmly. Hold a treat above their nose, then slowly raise it above their head. The dog will naturally sit to follow the treat. Once they sit, give them the treat and praise them.
This command is crucial for calming an excited dog or teaching them to relax. The goal is to make the dog lie down, usually on their stomach. First, ask the dog to sit. Then, hold a treat in front of their nose and lower it to the ground. The dog will naturally lie down to follow the treat. Once they are down, reward them.
"Come" is a very important command, especially when letting the dog off-leash or in open spaces. The goal is to make the dog return to their owner. Start by being close to the dog, using a warm and enthusiastic voice. Reward them immediately when they approach you.
The "Stay" command helps keep the dog still in a given position, whether sitting, lying down, or standing. The goal is to keep the dog in place until given another command. Ask the dog to sit or lie down, then show the palm of your hand and say "stay." Slowly move away while observing their reaction, then return quickly to reward them when they stay in place.
This command teaches the dog to walk alongside their owner without pulling on the leash. The goal is to control the dog’s walking and prevent them from pulling. Start walking with your dog on a leash. When they walk next to you, praise and reward them. If the dog pulls, stop and wait for them to return to your side before continuing.
"Drop it" is an essential command to prevent the dog from holding dangerous or inappropriate objects in their mouth. The goal is to make the dog release whatever they have in their mouth. Offer a treat in exchange for the object in their mouth. As soon as they drop it, reward them and praise them.
"No" is a command used to interrupt undesirable behavior. The goal is to tell the dog to stop what they are doing. When the dog engages in undesirable behavior (like chewing on objects or running toward a forbidden area), firmly say "no" and immediately redirect them to a desired behavior.
This command is similar to "stay," but it can be used for specific moments, like before crossing a street or before giving them food. The goal is to have the dog wait in a specific position, safely. Ask the dog to sit or lie down, then say "wait" before allowing them to move. With practice, the dog will learn to wait until given the next instruction.
This command helps capture the dog’s attention, which is useful when they are distracted or when you want them to listen. The goal is to attract their attention and establish eye contact. Hold a treat near your eyes and attract their attention. Once they look at you, reward them. This will encourage them to look at you more on command.
A complementary command to "stay," this teaches the dog to remain still, even in the presence of distractions. The goal is to keep the dog immobile, even when faced with external stimuli. Use this command when the dog is calm, then gradually introduce distractions (sounds, movements) while asking them not to move. Reward them when they succeed in staying still despite distractions.
- Be patient and repeat exercises regularly. Learning can take time, especially with puppies.
- Use treats and praise to reinforce desired behaviors.
- Increase difficulty gradually by introducing new distractions and requiring more time.
- Keep training sessions short but frequent to maintain the dog’s focus and avoid boredom.
By teaching these basic commands, you will foster a stronger and more respectful relationship with your dog, while providing the foundation for them to integrate well into daily life.
