If you're considering training your dog, or having someone else help you with the process, you should be aware that there are basic commands that will serve as the foundation of the training.
These basic dog training commands include: Heel: this command teaches your dog to walk beside you on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind.
Equally important, it teaches your dog to keep his attention on you and be sensitive to your movement.
It's easy to teach, requiring only ten or fifteen minutes, and the benefits will last your dog's lifetime.
You'll be able to walk your dog anywhere on a loose leash without fear of losing control.
Sit: this is the first command most dogs will learn.
Not only will it help to build your dog's confidence and teach him to listen to your voice, it can help prevent problems when there are distractions tugging at your dog's attention.
With the sit command, you want your dog's back end resting on the floor, his head high, and his attention on you.
Down: this command generally follows the sit command in the training process.
It's a natural transition to move your dog from a sitting position to a down position (with your dog's belly resting on the ground).
Whether or not there are distractions, whether or not you are within eyesight of your dog, he should remain in this position until released.
It's another important way to help your to learn to deal with busy, social environments without becoming distracted , overwhelmed, frightened or anxious.
Release: also referred to as the break command (or you might use a word such as "free" or "okay" with equal effectiveness), this is command informs your dog that he's correctly followed one of your commands and is now free to "break" from that position.
It should be followed with plenty of praise and affection so that your dog is rewarded for his excellent behavior.
Some of you might be wondering why the stay command isn't listed here.
This is an instruction most dog owners use fairly frequently.
However, if you train your dog properly, it's an unnecessary command.
Once your dog has completed a command such as sit or down, that position should be maintained until you give the release command.
With good training, there should be no need to request that your dog stay.
These basic dog training commands contribute to building the foundation of your relationship with your dog.
Even more, though, they teach your dog how to behave properly in public situations that might otherwise pose dangers for his safety.
These basic dog training commands include: Heel: this command teaches your dog to walk beside you on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind.
Equally important, it teaches your dog to keep his attention on you and be sensitive to your movement.
It's easy to teach, requiring only ten or fifteen minutes, and the benefits will last your dog's lifetime.
You'll be able to walk your dog anywhere on a loose leash without fear of losing control.
Sit: this is the first command most dogs will learn.
Not only will it help to build your dog's confidence and teach him to listen to your voice, it can help prevent problems when there are distractions tugging at your dog's attention.
With the sit command, you want your dog's back end resting on the floor, his head high, and his attention on you.
Down: this command generally follows the sit command in the training process.
It's a natural transition to move your dog from a sitting position to a down position (with your dog's belly resting on the ground).
Whether or not there are distractions, whether or not you are within eyesight of your dog, he should remain in this position until released.
It's another important way to help your to learn to deal with busy, social environments without becoming distracted , overwhelmed, frightened or anxious.
Release: also referred to as the break command (or you might use a word such as "free" or "okay" with equal effectiveness), this is command informs your dog that he's correctly followed one of your commands and is now free to "break" from that position.
It should be followed with plenty of praise and affection so that your dog is rewarded for his excellent behavior.
Some of you might be wondering why the stay command isn't listed here.
This is an instruction most dog owners use fairly frequently.
However, if you train your dog properly, it's an unnecessary command.
Once your dog has completed a command such as sit or down, that position should be maintained until you give the release command.
With good training, there should be no need to request that your dog stay.
These basic dog training commands contribute to building the foundation of your relationship with your dog.
Even more, though, they teach your dog how to behave properly in public situations that might otherwise pose dangers for his safety.