Just like there are fundamental tasks that humans must be able to perform, there are things your pet must do to be a well-behaved part of the family. These commands are essential to minimizing problematic habits and fostering traits such as obedience and attention span. As such, if you’re going to keep a dog, it’s crucial that you know why these tricks are important and which ones will be the most useful. These are some of the basic commands to teach your dog so that they can respond to your needs—just as you do to theirs.
Sit
“Sit” is an order that dog owners use every day to keep their pet calm around company or to just settle them down in general. This phrase should indicate to the dog that they should sit upright, keep their eyes locked on you, and wait until you give the signal to stand up. “Sit” is at the core of all other things you could teach them, and, therefore, is the first key step in training.
Down
“Down” is also important for your dog to recognize because it’s similar to “sit” in its purpose. This position is reserved for dogs who are getting a bit too excited and need a moment to calm themselves. It prevents them from jumping and can temporarily remove them from the environment that’s causing them to become overwhelmed.
Stay
Another important basic command to teach your dog is how to stay. This will help keep your dog away from anything you don’t want them to go near while establishing distance between you and them. After all, while your pet often wants to stay by your side, this isn’t always a possibility. “Stay” provides both of you with space, and ensures that your pet is comfortable with giving you just that.
Come
The “come” command is incredibly useful at keeping your dog away from something dangerous or leading them back to you if they’ve strayed too far. This order is among the best ways to maintain control of your dog, even if they’re off the leash and could easily run away. “Come” is useful for a series of different situations such as pulling your pet away from strangers in public or simply calling them in from the yard.
Heel
Next to “sit”, “heel” is the number one order that’s used when you’re out taking your dog for walks. It prevents your dog from running too far head of you and ensures they always remain right by your side. If you happen to have a particularly energetic puppy, “heel” also allows you to lock their focus on you rather than what’s around them.
Even training your dog in the basics can be a difficult task if you don’t know where to begin. So, if you be struggling to train your dog on your own, reach out to Acadia Canine Academy. Our one-on-one dog training services puts your pet face-to-face with a master dog trainer, who will dedicate the necessary time to train your dog according to your needs. Part of the curriculum will also involve educating you about the fundamentals of dog training and how you can maintain your dog’s behavior at home.