3 Basic Training Commands: For a Well-Behaved Fido

If you are reading this article, chances are you’ve recently welcomed a puppy or a new dog into your home. Congratulations! Dogs are the most popular animals kept as pets.

Are you ready to train your dog? Or want to teach your pet basic obedience commands? Hold on!

To start off on the right paw, your pet needs to know what you expect of him. You can instill pillars of good behavior and can establish two-way communication with your canine with consistency and patience.

Here are 3 basic training tips that will help you to get started. Jump ahead.

Basic Commands

Commands, whether verbal or hand signals are your way of communicating with your furry friend.

Dogs are smart enough to read your body language and tone. Be consistent in the use of cues, or you will confuse your dog.

Every time your pet follows your command, be a vending machine for the first few training sessions and reward him with a toy, praise, and healthy food treats to keep him motivated.

Sit Command

• Hold the treat near his mouth or nose, and move the treat slowly behind his head. Say “Sit!”, when the dog’s back touches the floor.
• Let him enjoy the treat each time when his bottom hits the floor.
• Repeat the exercise by luring him with food 2–3 times. Then, use your empty hand to give him a signal. Right after your hand signal, say “Sit”, and once he sits, reward him.

This quintessential command, “Sit”, comes in handy in your daily routine. No more grimy paws on your clothes, when your dog approaches you. You can walk across the street calmly and your neighbors won’t avoid you anymore, because no more grabs of things out of people’s hands.

Down Command

Practice the “Down” command after your dog masters the “Sit” command.

• Hold a treat right in front of your dog’s nose and bring it slowly to the floor.
• Wait, until the elbows and body of your dog touch the floor.
• Once he lies down, say, “Yes, good down!” and give the treat.
• Repeat a few times with a food lure. Afterward, use an empty hand signal to exercise the command.

Down command is particularly useful when you want to keep your dog out of some danger or want him to relax. It will help him get in bed and trained enough not to jump on the counters, or people when he accompanies you somewhere out.

Stay Command

Use the “Stay” command in conjunction with the “Sit.”

• Have your dog in a sit position and say “Stay.”
• Use your hand up with the palm out, and step back slowly to reinforce the “Stay” command.
• If your dog stays for a few seconds, that’s an accomplishment. Give him a treat.
• Build the stay time bit by bit. Here patience comes in handy!
• Keep him in a “Sit” and call “Stay” repeatedly.

Stay command helps you to keep your pet safe in emergency situations like he is running in a street, or across the road, and even to keep him away from guests who might not want slobbering kisses.

Final Thoughts

The “3 Basic” cues help build a loyal and loving connection between you and your furry member.

It will make your life much easier when your pooch will behave well at home, and be a good canine outdoors. Let us know which command helped your dog become an obedience champ.

Once your furry friend will master these basic commands, the sky’s the limit! Good luck!