The Three Commands You Need To Teach Your Dog

Before we start, have you ever wondered why we don't have special training for pet owners? Simply put, those who are supplying the dogs (shelters and breeders) have other things on their mind. The shelters have too many dogs and not enough staff, and the breeders are already preparing for the next litter. There is not thought placed on the actual life of the animal, just the means to an end.

This begins the vicious cycle of too many dogs and not enough owners. Then when they do find an owner they are too busy pulling at their heartstrings to get them to adopt than to a) make sure they are the right home for the dog, and b) instruct in the proper care and training of their new family member. Typically they are assuming you know what you are in for, and sadly most pet owners do not.

So by starting with these three simple words to teach your pet, and then you can take it to another level of learning beyond that once these have been mastered. And when using these words, be sure to use them with authority! Your voice should be clear, strong, firm and shifted slightly from your normal everyday voice. And NEVER use wishy-washy baby talk! This is your friend, your best friend, and s/he deserves respect from you so s/he can give it in return.

So are you ready?

STOP. Not "no", "don't do that", or "get away from that". Dogs respond to one syllable at a time while the rest of what you are saying after that first word fades into the background. STOP is used when you want your dog to stop walking and just stand still or when you want to get your dog's attention away from what it is doing.

DOWN. Down can indicate sitting or lying down, which ever your dog does instinctively based on their breed. Some dogs will lie down, while others will sit. Go with your dog's natural tendency and s/he will learn the command that much faster. If your dog has a tendency to lie down, after learning this command you can then teach your dog to move from that position to then sit up.

IGNORE. This is a common command for service dogs and should be taught by all puppies when they are first learning to walk on a leash and are easily distracted by that squirrel or another dog.

Now that you know the commands, how do you teach them? Over and over and over again! Whether your dog is a senior or a puppy they can learn new commands easily, with repetition as the key to learning them until they become second nature. Typically after 2 weeks you and your pet will be in sync with the rhythm of the new commands making walks and playtime much more enjoyable.

However, don't stop with just these three commands, as there are many you can use to create a great relationship with your pet. A few more to try are: Forward (when you want your dog to walk), Back (when you want your dog to back up or move away from something or some situation), and Up (as in sitting up, getting in the car, or getting up on the couch next to you).

Creating a quality relationship with your dog takes time, effort and patience. Remember, your pet has to learn your language and familiarize themselves with your world all while learning these commands. So give them the patience they need from you to make the transition as easy as possible.

Before we go, here is are two excellent tips that will help you and your dog build a better relationship:

Always use a standard leash when walking. Retractable leashes, which we will discuss in detail in another article, are the cause of too many accidents and deaths for dogs. They give you no control over your dog's actions and make it impossible to teach your dog commands correctly.

When you walk with your dog it's all about them, not you, and give them enough time to enjoy themselves! Too many pet owners think they can combine walks with their dog into an exercise regime, eliminating their dog's actual needs. This is their time to smell the grass, pee, poop, and just take in nature. Dogs are naturally outdoor beings that we have brought inside, making their walk time the only time they get to be themselves. So if your dog wants to run with you that's great, but don't think that is a replacement for their own time with nature.

So there you have it, the three most important commands to teach your pet no matter what its age, and a few extra tips to help you through the learning curve. Be sure to take your time, have patience, and in no time you and your dog will have the most amazing relationship making all the other pet owners jealous!

Credit: Lisa LaMendola