Five Commands Every Dog Should Know (And How to Teach Them)

To ensure your dog is a good citizen, there are minimum commands your dog should know. Here are some of the most important ones.

Does your dog know these basic commands?

Some dogs are smart enough to learn 165 words or even more. Just how smart they can be, largely depends on the breed and how much time you spend with them. No dog, however, is smart enough to realise every single danger they can get into. There are cars, medication, antifreeze and getting trapped in places where they cannot get out. For these reasons, it is vital that every dog learns to understand and obey certain commands. Here are five basic commands your dog should know:

 1. Come

“Come” may be one of the most important commands your dog will learn. It protects them from being injured or killed — and it can protect you from getting sued. Teach this command by taking your dog on a leash to a place where he/she sees interesting things. Don’t let them roam away from you to investigate the surroundings. If you do clicker training, wait to get their attention. When he/she makes eye contact with you, click and reward. When he/she looks at you, walk backward and click as you show them a treat. Then verbalise the word “Come.” Practice this every day for 10 minutes. He/she will catch on that coming when you call is a good thing.

2. Leave It

This is an especially good command for dogs who will not hesitate to grab something they shouldn’t or a dropped pill with their teeth. Some dogs will not discriminate in what they swallow. Have your dog on a leash and drop a toy onto the ground. Walk your dog past the toy just short of where he/she could get it. As soon as you notice them pulling toward the toy, say, “Leave it” and move them away. When he/she walks away without your having to move them, reward them with a snack and tell them how good they are. Repeat this with a longer leash and later without a leash, until he/she listens to you and ignores the toy. Never forget to reward and praise.

3. Drop It

Dogs are really fast when they want to be. If you see your daughter’s pet hamster sticking out of your dog’s mouth, “Drop it” may be the proper command. This also goes for playing ball with your dog. If he catches the ball but won’t release it, tell them, “Drop it.” When your dog associates this command with playing, he/she may be more interested in letting go of their prize. This command is not hard to teach. Play with your dog so he/she puts a ball into their mouth, then stop and call firmly but never angrily, “Drop It!” If they drop the toy out of surprise, praise them lavishly. Pick up the ball and toss it so they can play again. If he/she decides not to drop the ball, gently open their jaws so that the ball rolls out. Then praise them happily. Take the ball and toss it again.

4. Sit

This command is useful, especially when you have a large dog. If you don’t want them to jump all over you, or someone else, have them sit down. It also helps to keep a sense of order when someone rings your doorbell. And it aids in the attempt to keep your dog from jumping excitedly while waiting for their breakfast. To teach “Sit,” you only need to stand facing the dog with a treat in hand, placed no more than an inch above the dog’s nose. Guide the dog’s head to move up by moving the treat farther up the dog’s head. The dog should raise his head and lower his rump into a sit. The instant you get a sit, praise them and give the treat. Keep practicing this, and don’t forget to come up with a release command such as “OK!”

5. Wait

The command “Wait” will help you tremendously when you have to take your dog for a check up. In the time you open the car door and the crate door, your dog can be out and running into the street before you get the chance to put the leash on them. Teaching them to wait lets them know that he/she has to stand still for a short time until you are finished with some task. Teach them to wait until you give them permission to go through a door, for instance. Open your door and give them enough leash that he/she could walk through the door. When he/she is at the front of the door, pull the leash tight and say, “Wait.” Have them sit if he/she already knows that command. If he/she doesn’t listen, pull the leash and release a little in quick succession. Praise them and give them a snack when he/she finally gets it. Practice until he/she waits until you are through the door and then allow them to follow.