Training your dog is an important part of your dog’s upbringing. Dog training is something most pet owners need, but unfortunately, they don’t focus on it. It’s important to note that to have a well-behaved dog with an excellent temperament, you must teach your dog some basic training.
Basic dog training is about teaching your dog commands to listen to you and building a strong bond and trust between you and your dog. Even if you can’t reach your dog all the super tricks, there are some basic training that every dog should know.
Reason Why You Must Teach Your Dog Basic Commands
These basic commands help to keep your dog under control and give it structure and order in its upbringing. They also help to manage some common dog behavioural problems. We are going to look at nine basic commands every dog must know.
Emergency Recall
Every dog must know and understand that the emergency recall command ensures that your dog will know its name and come when you call it in any situation the dog might find itself. The primary use of this basic command is to help in emergencies, such as when your dog is off leash and about to run in front of a moving car. The recall can be said that your dog will stop and run back to you, which may save its life. Remember, this command is not the same as the basic recall, which is often referred to as the “come” command.
Sit
The sit command is the most common, and dog owners teach their dogs the first command. The sit command may seem pretty basic, but it plays an important role in your dog’s behaviour and helps to curb unwanted behaviours your dog might likely exhibit. For example, your dog can’t sit and jump simultaneously. By training your dog to sit, you tackled jumping behaviours in your dog. Also, training your dog to sit can help it calm down and relax when needed.
Also read: Common Dog Behavior Problems
Come
This command can save you from aggravation and frustration like the emergency recall. You can use it to get your dog to come any time you want to see him, to get it to go quickly inside from the yard, or to come over for some playtime. If you want this command to be very effective, always ask your dog to come to you for good things. This way, it will always be happy to come on when called.
Look
This is the key to any training, getting your dog’s attention to look and focus on you. Make sure to teach your dog the “look” or “watch me” command. This will help your dog focus on you, even in the presence of distractions. Having this cue in place is really useful when you’re working on teaching your dog other commands.
Stay
The stay command is a useful command that dogs should learn, especially high energy dogs who loves to moves and use their energy always. This basic command can help keep your dog out from under your feet or save its life by preventing it from running into dangerous situations in public places. If you have been taught and mastered this command, you can easily control your every dog well in public areas. It can also allow you to safeguard little property near your dog, knowing fully well that your dog will stay still and protect your property.
With Me
With Me, also called heel, is a dog training command used to always keep your dog next to you or from pulling on the leash. Having a loose leash when walking your dog means that your dog is walking next to you calmly and comfortably. When the leash is loose, taking your dog for a walk is more enjoyable, and it’s more likely that you will do it more often, which is great for your dog’s health and happiness. Instead of saying “with me,” you can use the command “easy” or “heel” to achieve the same thing. Choose something easy for you to remember and simple enough for your dog to understand.
Leave It
The “leave it” command is one of the basic dog training used to instruct your dog not to pick up or. This command is particularly useful in preventing your dog from eating something harmful or preventing your belongings from being chewed. It is best employed when you notice an object that may attract your dog’s attention but has not yet picked it up. If your dog does pick up an item before you can issue the “leave it” command, the cue “drop it” can be employed to prevent your dog from inadvertently consuming dangerous substances.
Lie Down
The “lie down” command is an essential tool for dog training for various reasons. Similar to the “sit” command, the lie-down cue prevents certain unwanted behaviours, such as jumping up and counter-surfing. By teaching a dog to lie down on command, you are equipped to address common behaviour issues effectively. The “lie down” command promotes relaxation, especially for overly excited dogs. It also serves as a foundation for training other commands, such as teaching your dog to roll over or to play dead.
Wait
When you command your dog to “wait,” you instruct it to remain stationary and not proceed until you provide the signal. This command is especially useful for preventing a dog from dashing out of a door, crate, or vehicle. Using the “wait” command, you are communicating to your dog that something desirable is in its future, but it must exhibit patience and self-control to receive it.
Conclusion
Canine training is crucial in shaping a dog’s behaviour and overall well-being. Early socialisation and consistent and gentle basic training are essential for fostering a well-rounded and well-behaved dog. Providing your puppy with this foundational training can significantly reduce the likelihood of common behaviour problems and help you enjoy a more harmonious relationship with your canine companion. During dog training, you can use positive reinforcement to make your pet’s experience enjoyable and engaging.
FAQs
What is the Best Method For Dog Training?
Positive reinforcement is the most effective and humane technique for dog training. This approach involves rewarding desired behaviours with treats, praise, or other forms of positive reinforcement. It is based on the principle that dogs learn best when associating good behaviour with positive outcomes. This method not only helps in training dogs but also strengthens the bond between the dog and the trainer.
Read More about Dog Training by Thesprucepets : How to Completely Train Your Dog
Is it Possible to Train an Adult Dog?
Dog training isn’t just for puppies; untrained adult dogs can also be trained. However, teaching an adult dog will take longer and require patience and consistency. It’s important to understand that adult dogs may have already developed certain habits, so modifying their behaviour might take more effort. Consistent training methods and positive reinforcement can help older dogs learn new behaviours and commands.
How do I Socialize my Puppy?
Socializing a puppy should start as soon as you bring your puppy home, although the puppy’s socialization has been underway since they were 3 weeks old, when they were with their mothers and littermates. Check out this article: How to Socialize Your Dog or Puppy
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