Basic Dog Commands – What Are They?
Learn what the basic dog commands are, with tips on how to teach them through training with positive reinforcement, which helps to maintain a healthier and happier relationship with your pet. Dog training is much more than obedience training; it promotes many benefits for living with dogs.
Also, when dogs understand the tutor's commands, it's easier to set limits and prevent behavior problems. Were you curious to know what the basic commands for the dog to learn are? Then continue reading this article.
Basic Dog Commands – Find out what they are and how to teach them
The basic commands for the dog encourage socializing in public and help maintain the pet's obedience. However, it is not always easy to teach the dog training tricks. You will need to be patient, and if possible, start when the dog is still a puppy.
To help you train your little friend, we've separated some easy commands below, with tips on how to practice with your dog.
“sit” command
The “sit” trick is one of the easiest commands to teach, as this is a common practice for dogs. However, this instruction can help the animal understand the correct way to order food, without jumping on the tutor's legs.
Take the reward in hand and let the dog smell the treat ;
Keep the dog's attention by holding the treat in front of you;
Then pronounce the word “senta” or “ sit ”, moving the treat over the animal's head;
You will notice that he sits naturally, or if he doesn't, repeat the movement with the treat over his head, until the dog does the behavior;
After the dog sits, offer the treat for him to eat and offer words of affection, such as “Well done”.
It is important to repeat the command to the dog as often as you can, until he begins to carry out the command without reinforcement with the reward.
Command “stay” or “together”
If you want the dog to stay with you during walks or when you receive visitors, this basic training command is indicated for this situation.
When the dog is sitting, position yourself next to him;
Place the collar and with the palm of your hand in front of the dog, say one of the words: “stay” or “together”;
Wait a few seconds for him to calm down, take two steps back and see if he leaves the place;
If he remains quiet in the place, reinforce with the phrase "Good boy", offer a reward and affection;
When he moves from the spot, keep repeating this process until he understands the command.
However, on walks, use the same command for the dog to stay together, keeping the leash shorter so that he understands that he needs to stay next to the tutor.
"Exit" command
The “leave” command is great for practicing obedience on the dog, so that the dog learns when it will be necessary to move away from an object or situation.
Use the “sit” trick to keep the dog in a sitting position;
Take a snack he likes or a toy to leave in front of the pet;
Say the word “go out” and keep your hands close to the treat;
If he comes towards the object, cover it with your hand and repeat the command “out” or “out”;
Wait for him to sit down, remove your hand from the object and repeat the command again.
As soon as he manages to sit in one spot longer, reward him with dog treats and lots of affection.
“Come here” command
This basic command is for an agitated dog that does not obey when the tutor calls, being one of the tricks that help to carry out the other training instructions.
At a distance from the dog, take a snack in your hand and say "come here" ;
Squat down and show the reward until he comes to you;
When he comes, give the snack and say words of affection;
Repeat this command without a treat and in another environment;
If by chance the dog doesn't come to you, use the treat again to reinforce.
This shows how important positive reinforcement in training is. It allows the basic dog commands to be respectful and pleasant for the tutor and his pet. Soon, it's a smart way to make the dog learn some movement or behavior, without having to fight or curse. Also, never use profanity or offensive words. This makes the dog not understand anything and still feel bad.
If you notice any difficulty the dog has in understanding a command, don't hesitate to repeat it until he understands. Patience and calm are key to positive results. Give the dog time and take good care of him.