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The 5 Basic Dog Commands
If you have a small child who is just about learning to
speak and understand a few simple words, you don't try to teach him, or her, Quantum
Physics or Differential Calculus. You want them to understand "Yes" and "No" and "Mom"
and "Dad". It's just the same when you start training your new dog (or even an older
dog if his training so far has been non-existent).
It sounds obvious, in fact it is
obvious, but you have to have some control of your dog if you are to have any success
in training him to be a valued member of your family. There are Five
words that he must learn and understand.
1) NO! It may
appear that we are starting off with a negative approach, right from the outset but much
of what your untrained dog will do will be undesirable, so the quicker he learns the
meaning of "NO", the better for him and you. (Apologies to all the lady dogs, for using
the masculine term, but I think it is better than calling the dog
"it").
This certainly does not mean that you have to impose a reign
of terror on your new friend, with shouting or scolding. Only when he has stopped the
unwanted behavior, reward him with a kind word, a pat or a fondle and the occasional
treat.
Note. When first trying to teach
these basic commands, it is best to have the dog or puppy on a leash, so that he is
not free to roam off and ignore you, while he investigates something more
interesting. During this initial training, which should be in short spells of 15 to twenty
minutes, try to ensure that distractions are kept to a minimum, so he can concentrate all
his attention on the trainer.
2) Come. When your dog is off the leash, whether
indoors or out, your only contact with him is your voice and body language. In the
early stages of your dog's training, you can only regain control once you can touch
him. Suffice it to say, when he does come, praise him and give
him a reward. Don't let him associate coming to you with a negative or unpleasant
result. (See the content of the Free Course below..)
3) Sit. Sitting comes naturally to a dog,
so this is an easy command for him to learn. It is also a very valuable skill,
because he is then more focussed on you and therefore more under control. It is also
the quickest way to stop unruly or excitable behavior. With the dog on a short
leash and stood by your left leg, say "SIT" and pull the leash up and back,
at the same time pushing firmly down on his rump with your free hand. Praise and reward
him when he does it properly.
In a very short time, you won't need to push him down,
you'll just need a gentle tug on the leash.
4) Down. Once your dog is sitting, getting
him to lie down is pretty easy. The best way is to kneel in front of him and gently
pull his front legs towards you. Praise him once he's down and he will soon get the
idea. Don't try to push him down by pressing on his shoulders. He won't like it and
he'll resist you.
5) Stay. This is a
more difficult command to teach, especially if your dog is responding well to your
training. He will be keen to come to you, for praise and rewards and making him
stay away from you will be the opposite of all he has learned so far. Here is an
important point: When he obeys the Stay command, walk to him and reward him
(with praise or a treat) while he is still in that position. Do not call him and then
reward him because he will associate the reward with "Come" and not with
"Stay".
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