There are five important commands every dog should know: "Sit", "Stop", "Down" (or "Down"), "Come" and "To the foot" (or "Toe"). Such orders help you communicate your wishes to the pet so that it clearly understands your intentions. If you train your dog to respond well to basic commands, you will lay the foundation for more advanced training in the future and greatly improve your relationship with your four-legged friend.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Teach Your Dog to Sit
Step 1. Begin your training by teaching your dog how to sit on command
The sitting position is a sign of education for dogs; it is a natural movement for them. It shows that a specimen is not aggressive and that it is willing to wait.
- Once your dog has learned the "Sit" command, he will understand that when he wants something or when you are busy, sitting and waiting are the right actions to take.
- The goal of the training is to make the dog understand that when you give the order "Sit", he must pay attention or calm down.
- Stand directly in front of your dog. Try to calm him down but show determination. Attract the animal's attention, looking him straight in the eye. Say the words "[Name of the dog], sit" while holding a treat over his nose.
- To see the food, the dog will have to look up and will spontaneously lower the hindquarters.
Step 2. When your dog sits down, praise him
As soon as it hits the ground, say "Yes!" and deliver the food. The goal of training is to get the dog to perceive a correlation between action, order, reward and praise.
Step 3. Replace food with a hand signal
Once your dog has learned the verbal command, stop giving him incentives and start accompanying the order with a hand signal. The simplest is to hold the hand open above the dog's head, slightly in front of him. When you say "Sit", make your hand into a fist or turn your palm up.
Step 4. Repeat the training until the dog always responds to your order
It can take some time, especially if the animal is already an adult or stubborn. But don't give up! To have a good relationship with your dog, it is important that he learns to follow your orders. This will help you live together, and allows you to better protect the animal.
Method 2 of 5: Teaching Your Dog to Stand Still
Step 1. Teach your dog to sit still
Some commands can literally save your dog's life: "Stop" is one of them. If he learns when he shouldn't move, it will be easier to protect him from dangerous situations and prevent him from getting into trouble.
Puppies instinctively understand that they must sit still when threatened and their mothers use very clear commands to communicate that signal. By giving him this training at a young age, it shouldn't be very difficult to get your dog to follow your orders
Step 2. Begin the training by having the dog sit down
Once it is seated, position yourself so that the animal is on your left, facing the same direction as you. This position is considered to be the starting position.
Step 3. Hold the dog by the collar and say the command "[Name of dog], stop
". You should do this by placing your hand open in front of the animal's muzzle, without touching it. Keep your fingertips up and your palm towards the dog. Wait two seconds. If the animal doesn't move, say" Yes! "and reward him.
- If he gets up, say "Oops!" and start over. Start from "Sitting" and repeat "Stop".
- Repeat the training until your dog stands still for at least 10 seconds before praising him. You will probably have to start the sequence over and over again.
Step 4. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog has to stand still
Once your pet has mastered the command, you can start making him sit still longer as you walk away. If he stands up, repeat the sequence by making him sit up, until you can move freely without him following you.
Also teach the dog a command to resume moving, such as "Ok!" or "Come". This way you will let him know when he will be free to move
Method 3 of 5: Teach Your Dog to Lie Down
Step 1. Teach your dog to lie down
"Land" is a more stringent command than "Freeze", with which it is often combined. "Earth" instructs the animal to stop whatever action it was taking before receiving the command, so it is very useful for controlling the dog's behavior.
Step 2. Again start with your dog sitting down
As you exclaim "[Name of dog], earth!", Hold your left hand over the animal's head, palm facing down. Hold some food in your right hand and slowly lower it to the floor, rather close to the dog's body.
Step 3. Give your dog positive reinforcement when he carries out the order successfully
Once his hindquarters and elbows are on the ground, he exclaims "Yes!" and hand him the food: he will learn to associate action and reward.
Step 4. Repeat the sequence several times
Repetition is very important in getting your dog to learn and follow new commands. The goal of training is to get the pet to respect your order no matter what it is doing. That way, if he was engaging in an unseemly attitude, you could correct him quickly and effectively.
As with other commands, if your dog doesn't respond to "Earth!" or perform a different action, restart training from the beginning. Have him sit down and go from there
Method 4 of 5: Teach Your Dog to Come to You
Step 1. Teach your dog to come to you when you call him
The "Come" command is also known as a "recall". As with the other basic commands, start by having the animal sit down.
Step 2. Gently pull the dog towards you as you say "[Dog name], come
Use a more encouraging tone of voice than the other commands, because your aim is for the dog to follow you. Accompany the order with a gesture that shows the dog what you want.
Step 3. Lure your dog with food
Once you have shown the animal how to get to you and what command you will give, place a kibble near your feet and point to it. After a few attempts, aiming for the ground in front of you should be enough to call the dog back. In the future, the gesture or command will be enough to order him to come to you.
Step 4. Give your dog positive reinforcement with praise
When he reaches you, praise him using the phrase "Bravo, come!". Pat him on the head, showing him your appreciation for what he has done for you.
Step 5. Test the command in many different environments and times
When interacting with your dog, take the opportunity to call him from one part of the room to the other, saying his name and "Come!", Praising him when he has reached you. This way he will become familiar with your order.
Method 5 of 5: Teach Your Dog Not to Pull the Leash
Step 1. Teach your dog not to pull on the leash
This command is often the most complex to teach. However, almost any dog can learn it if trained consistently. If your four-legged friend will be able to keep up with you, you will avoid back, shoulder and neck problems of the dog and you will save the dignity of both (even if the animal does not care much).
Your dog's natural instinct is likely to run, sniff and move in many directions. You have to make him understand that there are moments dedicated to exploration and others in which he must be close to you
Step 2. Have your dog sit
Using a normal walking leash, have the animal sit next to your left leg, facing the same direction as you.
Always have him sit on your left side so he doesn't get confused
Step 3. Order your dog to keep up with you
Use the command "[Dog name], foot!" as you step forward with your left foot. Starting with your left foot you will give your dog the signal that it is time to move forward. The animal may resist or dash in front of you. In both cases, gently pull him by the leash and repeat the order "Foot".
Step 4. Teach your dog to stay by your side
If it moves too far to the side, hit the leg with your hand and exclaim "Here!", "Stay close!" or a short sentence of your liking. Always use the same words to call the animal.
Step 5. Correct unwanted behaviors
If your dog goes too far, calmly tell him "No, [dog's name], foot". If necessary, tug on the leash. When you stop, always do it with your left foot and order the animal "[Name of dog], sit". If the animal is still moving forward, gently pull it back or physically place it next to your left leg, using the "Sit" command.
- If you lose control of the animal, stop and have him sit next to you, then praise him and start the exercise again. You should always force the dog to adapt to your position and not be the one to go through his movements. If you did, he'd be the one to train you!
- You should get your dog used to not feeling the leash taut except to correct its movements, otherwise it will get in the habit of pulling it all the time. Correct the dog's gait with your voice and gestures and only use the leash if he doesn't listen to you.
Step 6. Praise the dog when he keeps up with you
You can do this when he behaves well, but don't overdo it with praise, so as not to distract him. When he obeys voice commands fairly frequently, he remains silent and uses the commands only to correct his gait.
Each dog learns at different times, so don't rush
Step 7. Teach your dog to sit when you stop
If you are ready to stop, step with your left foot and give the order "[Name of dog], sit". After a few repetitions, the command "Sit" should no longer serve: the animal will understand that when you stop on your left foot it must also stop and sit down.
Step 8. Try giving the command with body language only
When your dog obeys the "Foot" command very frequently, begin to step forward with your left foot and stop without giving him verbal commands and without signaling with your hands. Also, when the animal is in the starting position, start with the right foot from time to time. He will be tempted to leave with you, so use the "Stop" command and bring him back to the starting position.
Alternate the starts with the left foot, followed by the command "Foot", to those with the right foot, followed by the command "Stop". After some time, you can step forward with any foot and reinforce the appropriate behavior. Once your dog has learned what you expect from him, you will be a perfect team
Advice
- Dogs love rewards, which motivate them tremendously. For example, when your dog sits alone for the first time, give him a treat or pat his belly. When she has learned to associate the action of sitting with rewards, she will do it more willingly.
- Keep the first few training sessions indoors or outdoors on a leash and in a quiet environment to avoid distractions. Once your dog has mastered the commands, start holding sessions in different places to get your pet used to listening to you despite any distractions.
- It is best to start training in the first few months of a puppy's life, but older dogs can still learn to obey you. However, it will take longer to correct their bad habits.
- Always make sure the training sessions are fun and not too difficult! If not, your dog may not like them.
Warnings
- During the training, do not show any signs of frustration or irritation. You would only confuse and scare your dog, who will experience these moments as a negative experience. If you feel frustrated, switch to a command your pet knows best to end the session in a positive way.
- Don't let your dog take advantage of you. Be affectionate with him, but firm.
- Don't delay your training and don't abandon it. It is easier to train a puppy than it is to train an adult.
- Don't have too many different people train your dog. If he heard too many different orders he would be confused.
- Never take your dog off the leash until he always responds to commands. If he gets away from you, you can't control him. You need to be sure he respects your authority before you can free him.
- Never scold and never punish your dog after he approaches following your order. Even if he was misbehaving when you called him back, he would only be able to associate punishment with obeying your last command. Don't give him confused signals!
