Training and Health

4 Basic Commands for Dogs You Should Train

admin • 22 Jun 2023

Basic training improves the relationship between owner and dog and prevents many behavioral problems. For example, “sit and stay” can be used to redirect the dog's attention or to control him in a difficult situation. If you don't know where to start.

We are now going to teach you the 4 most useful basic commands that you should teach your dog:

1. Teach a dog to sit

• Movement of the dog with treat over the head makes the dog sit;

• You say “sit down” and reinforce (give the treat) whenever you do;

• You train without the treat in your hand but you continue to reinforce if you do well.

The “sit” command is usually the first to be trained. So how to teach dog to sit ? To train the dog to sit , at the beginning of the training can be helped by the use of a lure. The movement of the hand holding the treat induces the dog to sit. Later it can be replaced by a signal.

To teach sitting, place yourself in front of the dog. Hold the treat in your left hand and let the dog sniff it. Move your hand over the dog's head and say sit. The dog following the lure will look up and put more weight on the back of the body, which will  make the dog sit  naturally. The treat is provided immediately and the owner should continue to praise the treat as he eats it.

When sitting, the dog must be released from the position . “ok” is usually used in a neutral and calm tone. Release from the position with an enthusiastic tone may reinforce the lift rather than the desired behavior.

The moment the dog starts to sit spontaneously, remove the bait and just signal with your hand and vocally . The treat is provided if the dog sits. If you continue to use the lure the dog may start to wait to see the treat before demonstrating the right behavior.

2. Teach the dog to lie down

• It starts with the dog sitting down and follows the treat in the hand until it goes to bed;

• Reinforcement whenever it's good;

• Replace the treat in your hand with a gesture that symbolizes lying down.

When the command “sit” is fulfilled, the dog can be taught to lie down. To teach the dog to lie down , training begins with the dog sitting next to the owner. The owner can be standing or kneeling, with one hand on the dog's back and the other holding a treat.

The dog is allowed to sniff the treat and the hand is moved downwards and forwards until it is in front of the front paws and said “down”. Following the movement will make the dog lie down . Training is reinforced with treats, praise and pats on the back.

If the dog demonstrates behavior other than lying down, it should not be rewarded. As the prone position is submissive, some dogs are resistant to learning this command. In that case, the training should be done in steps . For example, first stretch your paws and lower your head.

The bait must be removed at the beginning of the training to avoid associating the behavior with the treat in the hand. The hand movement should gradually fade out or be replaced by a short downward movement as a signal to lie down.

3. Teach a dog to stay

• It starts with the dog sitting or lying down;

• The dog is trained to tolerate periods of time when it is immobile;

• Time and distance from the owner are increased;

• Correct behavior is reinforced.

The “stay” command reinforces calm and relaxed behaviors. So how to teach dog to stay ? Between sitting or lying down, you should choose the position that the dog accepts best. Initially, the duration in which it remains immobile is trained. When tolerating 1 to 2 minutes immobile, a greater distance between the dog and the owner can be trained.

Duration is trained by starting with short predetermined periods that are rewarded with treats, treats and praise. The owner's tone of voice should be calm, allowing the dog to relax. It starts with a very short period (1 to 2 seconds) and gradually extends when the dog has mastered the previous period.

Movements should be ignored , asking the dog to sit or lie down again. The owner remains close and securely on the leash. The dog is released from the command with the “ok” and all rewards must cease.

When the dog remains in position for 1 to 2 minutes, the distance can be introduced . It starts with taking a step back and immediately returning to reinforce the behavior. This one repeats itself, changing direction and increasing the distance.

If the dog follows the owner, it is because the distance training is premature and the duration of the “stay” must be retrained . When the dog is well trained, the owner can experiment with moving out of the room or out of the dog's field of vision.

Duration and distance are combined slowly increasing both. When the dog masters these factors, training is based on generalizing this behavior in other contexts and places.

4. Teach Dog to Come When Called

• Calling by name and when you look, reward is given;

• When it responds to the name, training the “come” in situations where the dog normally goes to the owner (eg when putting food in the bowl);

• Practice the “come” command in different situations.

It is a command that, in addition to being basic, can save the dog's life . Knowing that the dog comes when called allows you to have more confidence and even let him run off the leash.

However, some dogs start to associate their name with something negative. This happens because the owner calls him to put the leash on and go home, administer medication or scold him when he does something wrong. In these cases the dog stops responding to the command.

Training the “come” command must be associated with a positive stimulus of great value , such as a treat or favorite toy. You want the dog to look and come close enough to be touched by the owner. Training is solidified by changing distance and context.

So how to teach the dog to come to the owner?

When calling the name , the dog is expected to look at the owner in anticipation of hearing another command. This training should be done in a quiet place in the house, with the owner close to the dog. The name is said calmly and, if the dog looks, the collar is touched and a reward is offered.

This sequence is repeated 10 to 20 times with the dog close by. You can then change the distance and repeat. Touching the collar allows you to ensure that the dog is close and that you start to associate it with something positive. It is generalized by training in other places.

When it responds to the name, it can be taught to come.

It should start in a place with no distractions and where the dog is highly motivated . For example, when the meal is served or when the owner returns home.

In outdoor situations and to prevent the dog from coming, it must be kept on a long leash. If it doesn't respond, the owner can use the leash to guide it to you. Off-leash training is only recommended in safe areas, such as in an enclosed garden.