About Dogs Home

 

Puppy Training Tips

House Break Training

Obedience Training

Dog Training Collars

Puppy Training Tips

Puppy training tips to improve the behavior of your puppy.

Basic Dog Behavior Traning Tips

From the outset of owning a dog, its important to remain consistent with the methods of training and be clear on what you are training you puppy. The following commands are commonly taught in basic obedience classes:

COME: This command, also referred to as the recall. Its one of the most important commands.

SIT: Sitting dogs are under the handler's direct control. This is often used in conjunction with teaching you dog the Stay command. For example - "sit - stay" … good boy.

STAY: An owner can park her dog while doing something else. This command gives peace of mind.

LIE DOWN (DOWN): This command allows even greater control than sitting.

GO TO BED: Directs the dog to go to its bed or its crate. The key here is that your puppy will remain there until released. There is more freedom for the dog under this command than say 'Stay' - plus they are a lot safer in busy or complicated scenarios where they may be in the way of others.

DROP IT (DROP): You dog takes a liking to your slippers … again! Dogs will pick up a variety of things, whether out of boredom or because they are attracted to its smell, flavour. A dog that drops anything on command, is a dog under control. Plus, more importantly, the owner can prevent the destruction of personal property or eating dangerous items.

LEAVE IT (LEAVE): Combine 'Leave' after saying 'Drop' … this instructs the dog to not touch an item and is also useful before the dog has picked anything up.

TAKE IT (TAKE): The dog leaves a desired object, such as a toy or treat, untouched until given this command. This can protect an owner's, visitor's, or child's fingers.

HEEL (STAY CLOSE): The dog walks with its head directly next to the handler's leg and does not deviate until released.

OKAY, FREE, BREAK, RELEASE: Releases the dog from Stay, Heel, Sit, and so forth. Also a general release to play.

The specific command word is not important. When deciding on a word, ensure its short, clear words that are easily understood by other humans so that other handlers may have a good chance of controlling your dog if necessary. Dogs can be trained to learn commands in any language and other signs  such as whistles, mouth sounds, hand gestures etc.

Professional "dog trainers" usually do not train the dogs, but actually train the owners how to train their own dogs. It is crucial for the owner and the dog to attend class together, to learn more about each other and how to work together. Training is most effective if everyone who handles the dog takes part in the training to ensure consistent commands, methods, and enforcement.

Remember … off-leash obedience is the hallmark of a well-trained dog.

 

Related: pup training, puppy crate training, puppy potty training