Dog owners from coast to coast have experienced the challenges of training their furry friends to follow basic commands. Not only does this make your dog a better companion, but it also helps enhance their safety around other animals, motor vehicles and other potential dangers.
Here are five essential commands every dog owner should teach their dog:
1. Sit: Teaching a dog to sit is the most basic command and often the easiest for a dog to learn. Sitting on their hind legs is a natural movement, making this command particularly straightforward. Additionally, it’s one of the most useful commands, as it’s a foundation for learning other, more complex commands.
2. Stay: After your dog has mastered the “sit” command, teaching them to stay is the next logical step. This command asks your dog to remain in the sitting position until given a new command. The “stay” command is crucial for keeping your dog safe, preventing them from running into the street or other dangerous situations. Though it’s more challenging to master than “sit,” a motivated dog can learn it within a few days.
3. Come: The “come” command is essential if you plan on keeping your dog off-leash, especially in public places. Whether at the dog park, on a neighborhood walk or playing in the backyard, this command ensures your dog returns to you when called. While it takes time to master, persistence will pay off.
4. Heel: A dog that walks in tandem with their owner down the street has likely mastered the “heel” command. Though it requires time and diligence, this command makes daily walks much more enjoyable and manageable.
5. No!: Dogs don’t necessarily know right from wrong, so if you have to use the “No” command be sure to show them a better behavior instead. With consistent positive redirection, they are likely to start making better decisions. There are many ways to train your dog, and you can teach as few or as many commands as you’d like. However, the five commands mentioned above are a great place to start.
Happy training!
