Dog Training

All dogs have an amazing ability to learn and comprehend commands. Dogs that are highly trained such as service dogs for the blind and physically less able or professional show dogs often knows more than a dozen commands, including non-verbal hand signals and body language. However if you are looking to just get along happily with your dog, teaching your dog these 10 voice commands will be ample and give you the necessary fundamentals to communicate effectively with your dog.

          

1. Come

This is the first and most important command in your dog training basics command repertoire. Usually taught together with your dog's name, it's a command that you will use frequently to recall your dog back to you especially if he/she breaks free from the leash or is running around disturbing other people in the neighborhood.

       

2. Sit

One of the easiest and most useful commands to teach, "Sit" can be use to control your dog from getting too excited while you are preparing its meal. Dogs who understand the "Sit" command are also easier to manage and less likely to misbehave (examples: jumping on people, chasing animals or fighting with other dogs.)

            

3. Stay

Often used in combination with other commands such as "Sit" or "Down," the command "Stay" is useful to keep your dog out of harms way should he/she approach something it's not suppose to or dangerous. However, this is not the easiest command for dogs to obey as their curiosity and animal instinct can sometimes take over instead of staying put as told.

            

4. Wait

Different from the "Stay" command which is more often use to keep your dog away from harms way, the "Wait" command is more commonly use on dogs that have a habit of rushing through doors or pull ahead on a leash to keep your dog in check, letting him/her know he/she is to wait till your next command.

                

5. Down

Unlike the "sit" command, the "down" command means your dog goes down on his/her belly. This command is an essential part of doggy etiquette. It's also more comfortable than a sitting position when you want your dog wait for you for more than a minute or two.

               

6. Stand

This command tells your dog to stop moving and be still. It's useful for when you are having a veterinarian examining him over or when you are bathing and grooming him.

              

7. No

Depending on the situation, the "No" is commonly and frequently used to discourage or break up undesirable behavior such as chewing, biting or jumping. This is an important command that you should teach your dog from the beginning the moment you bring him/her home.

               

8. Off
The "Off" command is useful to teach your dog to get off the sofa or your bed and is also applicable to stop any jumping on you or other people.

                  

9. Drop It

The "Drop It" command is necessary to get your dog drop whatever it is in their mouth like your expensive leather shoe or unknown substances that might be potentially harmful. This command is also useful when you start teaching your dog how to "Fetch".

                  

10. Heel

"Heel" simply means that your dog will walk on your left without lagging behind or running ahead of you. This is extremely useful to you to teach your dog this command to prevent him/her pulling you on the leash while going for walks and becomes all the more necessary if you have a large dog.