Dogs are intelligent animals capable of learning a wide range of commands. However, it can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to teaching them. Many pet owners struggle with teaching their dogs basic commands, such as sit, stay, and come. So, in this article, we’ll discuss how to teach your dog basic commands.
1. Teaching Your Dog to Come
Training a dog to come when called is one of the most important skills they can learn. It helps create a strong bond between you and your dog while also helping keep them safe. To teach your pup to respond to their name, you should begin in a quiet area inside and with tangible rewards, like treats.
As you say “come” or their name, offer them a treat for responding without other commands or cues. Once your dog has successfully responded multiple times in his calm environment, he’ll start understanding that coming when called means a reward.
To further this behavior, bring the training outside where there are more distractions and gradually increase the distance between you and your pup. So they understand what it means to come when called. Use small rewards like playtime each time they finish coming towards you so your pup maintains motivation for doing it again!
With lots of patience and repetition, it won’t be long before your pup happily answers each time you call!
2. Teaching Your Dog to Sit
Another tip on how to teach your dog basic commands like “sit” is to use two methods; capturing and luring. Capturing involves standing in front of your pup while holding their favorite treat. When they sit, you should say “yes” before rewarding them. After rewarding them, you should step away to encourage standing, then repeat the process until they understand what it means when you tell them to sit.
Luring is the second method of teaching a dog the “sit” command. This involves grasping a treat in one hand and presenting it close to your puppy’s nose. You’ll entice them into a sitting position by carefully drawing the treat back slightly over their head. Then, reward them for following your directions accordingly and repeat until mastered.
Both methods focus on rewarding desired behavior. So, offering treats or praise regularly is important, as this will help keep a positive environment during training sessions and increase your puppy’s success rate!
3. Teaching Your Dog to Stay
Staying in place is a duration behavior, meaning the pup won’t move until you give them a verbal cue. To teach your pup the “stay” cue, you must first teach them the release word. Choose whichever word works best for you, such as “OK” or “FREE,” and stand with your puppy in either a sit or a stand position.
Then, toss a treat on the floor and say your chosen release word as they step forward to get it. “Repeat this several times until your pup moves independently after hearing the release word. That’s an important tip on how to teach your dog basic commands like “stay.”
Once your dog has learned and begun associating the sound of the release word with getting up and moving, it is time to add distance into training by walking away from them while issuing the “stay” command. Reward each instance of success by giving a treat when they remain sitting until you return or call them back with the release cue.
As training continues, gradually increase the time they must stay in position and increase the distances between yourself and the pup before giving them.
4. Teaching Your Dog to Lie Down
Getting your pup to lie down can be accomplished in several ways. The most basic approach to teaching your pet the “down” command is through simple conditioning techniques. Since many dogs are naturally curious and easily distracted, it is best to begin teaching this behavior in a low-key situation.
To begin, wait for your pup to attempt lying down and then reinforce them with treats when they do so. After rewarding them, give the release cue for them to stand back up again. Then, wait until they have fully recommitted before starting another instruction session. This is one of the greatest tips on how to teach your dog basic commands.
To accelerate the learning process, you can also use lures or verbal cues as incentives for more complex behaviors like moving from a sit position into a down command. Start by luring your pup into a sitting position first, then lower any treats you use closer to the ground. Then, gently push on their shoulders from behind while you say “down.”
If done properly, after just a few repetitions, your pup should eventually connect between you saying this and what it needs to do.
5. Teaching Your Dog Potty Commands
Teaching your dog potty commands is crucial for house training and helps establish good bathroom habits. First, choose a specific spot outside for your dog to poo. Then, take them to that area consistently so they associate it with going potty.
Establish a consistent schedule for bathroom breaks, as puppies enjoy a routine. Take them to their designated potty area regularly, such as after meals, waking up, and before bedtime.
Also, use a verbal cue or command when you want your dog to poo. Simple, consistent phrases like “Go potty” or “Do your business” work. Say this phrase in an encouraging tone as they’re going. Eventually, they’ll learn to associate the cue with the act of eliminating.
Another tip is to reward your dog for going potty outside. Praise them enthusiastically and offer a small, tasty treat immediately after they finish eliminating in the designated area. Lastly, be patient and consistent, as house training takes time and effort. If your dog has an accident indoors, don’t punish them.
Instead, focus on reinforcing the positive behavior outside and adjusting the schedule or supervision as needed.
Conclusion
We hope you have gained a little from this post that explains a few tips on how to teach your dog basic commands. Do you have any thoughts? Please share with us in the comments section.