Easily Train Your Dog to Follow Basic Commands

In dog training, there are many basic commands which provide a foundation for more advanced dog training. Although some dog breeds have been bred to be able to follow instructions easier than other breeds, most dogs need a little help from their owners in order to learn the ropes. Basic dog commands including how to walk on a leash, sit, lay, come, and go in their crate with ease.

Training a dog takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You may choose to do your initial training by having a Dog Trainer In Brighton or your local area do the basic training and then have you continue training your dog. Others do the basic training and request help from a trainer for fine-tuning their training or doing the advanced training. find out more about training while you read the article.

Let’s look at how to teach your dog four basic dog commands.

How to Teach Your Dog “Sit”

The dog “sit” command is one of the easiest dog training basics for any dog owner to master. Most dogs will already know how to sit, but what you really need to teach is for them to do it on command.

To successfully teach your dog “sit,” have some dog treats, such as chicken chips for dogs, ready and a dog clicker if you have one – these are not necessary but can be helpful. The dog treat should be cut into small pieces so that the dog gets a lot of little treats for practice, rather than one big treat. You can even use the puppy’s food as a reward. Just be sure to not go over the recommended calorie intake for your puppy’s age and weight.

Remember that dog training is most effective when you have the dog’s attention – if your dog has just woken up or is playing with another dog or toy, wait until they are focused on you before commanding them to “sit.” Say the command word in a firm voice, followed closely by “sit.” If you have a dog clicker, this is when you will click it once when they have obeyed. Immediately give the dog the treat so that they associate the treat with sitting down on command without prompting from their owner.

Repeat this process about 10 to 15 times in one training session, and practice at least three training sessions per day for a few days. Keep the dog treats in a pouch or near you while training, and take them out and repeat the dog sit command when your dog starts to look at you without prompting. When your dog sits down on cue (on command), give them one treat and lots of praise such as “good dog!”

Practice this dog command every day for a week, and then whenever your dog sits down on command you can give them two dog treats as a reward. Continue to practice regularly so that the dog will have this dog command mastered for life!

How to Teach Your Dog “Stay”

In dog training basics, the dog “stay” command is another important dog training command to teach your dog. The dog stay command teaches the dog to stay in a certain position until they are given another dog command, but it does not mean that the dog should remain in a stationary spot for a long time without moving or getting up.

The dog stay command should not be confused with the dog “wait” command, which can be used when you need your dog to stop moving – for example, if your dog is jumping on visitors.

To teach your dog stay, begin by standing or sitting in front of your dog while they are looking at you. Hold a dog treat in your hand and have a dog clicker if you have one. When your dog looks at you, give the dog the dog treat and good dog command such as “good dog!” Ask them to sit down in front of you with a firm voice, then wait about five seconds before giving them another dog treat while saying the dog stay command word.

If you have a dog clicker, make sure to click it once when they sit down and again at the dog stay command.

Practice several dog training sessions per day for about one week, with your dog sitting in front of you before giving them dog treats. Gradually increase the time that they are expected to remain seated until it is 30 seconds. When your dog is able to stay seated for 30 seconds or more, add the dog wait command by asking them to sit while you back up a few steps and ask them to stay while you move a few more steps away from them.

Practice this dog training session about five times per day so your dog can master the dog stay command.

How to Teach Your Dog “Come”

The dog come command is another dog training basics essential that every dog owner should know. When your dog knows the dog come command , it means you can call them to you and they will obey, even if they are playing with another dog or a toy. There may be times when you need your dog to return to you immediately if they are chasing a dog or another animal, if they get out of your yard, or if there is danger such as a fire. When you dog comes when called, this also stops them from running away and getting lost.

To teach your dog the dog come command, begin by standing about 12 feet from them with dog treats in your hand. Call them to you without dog clickers or dog treats for the first dog training session. If they come running to you, give them lots of praise (“good dog!”) and hugs.

On the second dog training session, use a dog treat as an incentive if they are not fully comfortable with coming to their name yet. Call them to you while holding dog treats in your hand, then give the dog treat when they get to you. Repeat this dog training session five more times until they will come running to you on command with or without dog treats.

During the third dog training session, call your dog’s name and use the dog come command instead of just saying “come!” If they do not come, dog clickers or dog treats can be used as a dog training incentive.

During the next dog training session, call your dog’s name and give them the dog come command. If they start to run towards you but stop before they reach you, stay where you are and wait for them to return. If they do not return, dog clickers or dog treats can be used as a dog training incentive.

Continue to practice until your dog comes running to you and obeys the dog come command every time. Once this dog training has been completed, it is important to continue practicing so your dog will always respond to the dog “come” dog training command even when they are distracted by other dog or dog training things.

How to Teach Your Dog “Lay Down”

The dog lay command is similar to the sit command in that you show your dog how to do it, then reward them for doing it whenever they follow the command on their own. Have some treats ready and get your dog’s attention (good timing is important when giving a treat).

Begin by lying down on the floor and telling your pooch to “lie.” If he does it, praise him and give him a treat. Practice this for five minutes at a time, ten times per day until your dog begins to lie down as soon as you say “lie” without needing a treat as an incentive.

Once your dog knows how to lie down on command, you can teach the dog lay command and use it as an alternative to the sit command. “Lay” is a difficult word to say and may be easier for your dog to understand than “sit.”

Similar to the way you taught your pooch how to do “sit,” you will need a clicker if available or some dog treats.

Say “lie” in a firm tone, click the clicker or give your dog a treat when they lay down, and repeat this sequence 10 to 15 times in one training session. Practice three training sessions per day for five days. Keep the crate command treats near you while practicing so that your pooch will associate the crate command with a tasty reward.

Practice the sit and lay commands in your daily routines, around other dogs, around other people, and in different locations to make sure that your dog will respond well to crate training even when there is a lot of noise or distractions nearby.

Training may take several weeks of regular practice, but it is worth it!