10 Dog Commands that are Extremely Useful

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You can own a dog and not train him but you’ll most likely be sorry down the line. Besides giving you a well-mannered, secure dog, obedience training has many benefits. For one, it increases the bond between dog and human. It also helps you understand your dog and helps him understand you. It sets up boundaries for your dog and helps to avoid misunderstandings, such as the belief that it’s OK to eat the couch. It actually helps prevent behavior problems such as digging and jumping. And it increases confidence in both you and your dog. Here are 10 dog commands all owners should learn…..

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SIT. “Sit” may seem like a cliché dog command, but for a good reason. When a dog responds to” sit” you can keep him from getting into mischief or even into serious danger. Even if you have little time for dog training, this one of the most essential dog commands.

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STAY. Another potentially life-saving of the most important dog commands is “stay”. Imagine seeing your dog about to run into the street and being able to stop him in his tracks with the dog command “stay”.

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DOWN. Of all the dog commands, the command “down” is a great way to keep an overly-happy dog from driving everyone crazy. By training your dog to get down with his elbows leaning on the ground, you give him something to do other than jump on you or others when he’s trying to play.

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COME. When you want to take your dog out of the protective environment of the home, there are a few important dog commands to know, and “come” is the most important. Even if you walk your dog on a leash, a dog might tug so hard as to get free.

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NO BITE. Of all dog commands, the command “no bite” is especially helpful with puppies who are still in the biting stage. When playing with a puppy, if he starts to bite, stop playing and give the dog command “no bite” in a firm voice. Then give your puppy a toy instead and play with him.

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WALK Of all dog commands, training your dog to walk obediently is most important for his safety outdoors and your enjoyment of your dog’s company. A dog should never be allowed to pull on his leash, even if he is walking in the lead.

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FIND. Though this command many not be the most essential of all dog commands, it is certainly handy. Teaching your dog how to find specific objects can be helpful if you mislay his toy or leash.

Pee pee. Potty training dog commands are extremely important. Even a dog who is fully potty trained can benefit from knowing the potty training command. Many dogs are hesitant to go out in the rain, and the dog command for potty training can make it clear that you expect them to go out all the same. “Pipi” is not a universally used dog command, so feel free to substitute any word you like, so long as it is a single syllable.

NO BARK. Perhaps the most difficult of all dog commands to teach is the command “no bark”. There are many reasons why dogs bark, and simply giving a command for them to stop is not always enough. However, teaching your dog the “no bark” command is useful, even if he will not follow it to the letter.

SLEEP. Dogs may become hyper and eager to play just when you’re ready to turn off the lights. Of all dog commands, “sleep” is the most important at the end of a long day. When it’s time to go to bed, use the dog command “sleep”, as you coax your dog’s head down.

This article was written by Anni Sofferet. For more information on training your dog, Dog Breed Info has some great tips as does Doggie Buddy.