Pet owners have infinite love for their dogs. But sometimes, our four-legged friends drive us a little crazy. They snatch food scraps from the table while we’re not looking. They nearly give us a heart attack when they sprint towards oncoming traffic. Professional dog training sessions in Canal Winchester, OH will show you the following basic dog commands to keep the mischief under control.
Sit
The most basic dog command every owner should begin with is “sit.” This command encourages your dog to calm down and control themselves in situations where you need to complete a task such as refilling their food bowls or putting on a leash. To help your pup learn the sit command, hold a treat near their nose and raise it until their bottom lowers onto the ground. Hand over the treat and reward with affection.
Stay
This next command will be much easier if your dog first learns how to sit. “Stay” is a basic dog command because it comes in handy whenever you need them to wait. Teach your pup to stay during the next dog training session by first getting him in the sitting position. Extend your palm while saying “stay,” then take a few steps back. Reward with a treat and increase the distance over time.
Come
The natural progression after “stay” is teaching your dog to come. This command should be part of every owner’s dog training session because it keeps your furry companion away from danger. Come brings your pup back to safety if they bolt into the street or find themselves caught in the middle of a skirmish at the Canal Winchester, OH dog park. Put a leash on your dog and gently coax them forward while saying, “come.” Give them a treat for obeying the command.
No
The commands “no” and “leave it” have slightly different meanings, but attempting to teach your dog the difference will only confuse both of you. It’s best to say “no” because that word applies to any situation where your dog has to stop what they’re doing. Every dog should learn this command because it can prevent them from eating foods that lead to death. Start by holding a treat in your fist and say “no.” Wait until they stop investigating your hand, then give them an even better reward.
Down
“Down” is a hard command for many dogs to learn because it puts them in a vulnerable position. For this reason, teaching “down” requires the owner to display a positive attitude and stay patient throughout the whole process. Dogs have to learn on their own—they won’t if owners force their dogs to lay down. Instead, hold a treat to their nose and lower it towards the floor. Draw your hand farther away until they’re laying down, then say “down” and give them the treat.
Some dogs learn faster than others, but owners who are having a particularly difficult time teaching these commands will benefit from guidance from a dog trainer. Lucky Bones Pet Resort, located in Canal Winchester, OH, offers dog training courses where both owners and their pooches get to work alongside professionals who know all the best techniques for teaching dogs new tricks. Come see us today!
