8 Basic Dog Training Commands & Essential Supplies

There are many ways to train your dogs. But let’s start with 8 basic dog training commands. Their training may be breed-specific or general. Some specific training may also be given to guard dogs or police dogs. Here, we will teach you some basic training techniques you can apply to any dog from the very start when he is a cute puppy.

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When To Start Training Your Dog/Puppy

You must start training your dog immediately or when your puppy is at least seven or eight weeks old. Most puppies can wear a collar and begin to recognize and praise at about eight weeks, and you must start teaching them basic techniques at the age of 12 weeks.

Selection Of A Furry Partner

Choose a dog that suits your lifestyle. After centuries of breeding, the present dogs are one of the most diverse animals on earth. Although there is probably one dog for every lifestyle, not all dogs can meet your specific needs.

Because most dogs live 10 to 14 years, dog acquisition is a long-term goal. Make sure the dog breed’s temperament is a good match for your lifestyle.

If you haven’t started a family yet or have plans for small children around your home in the next decade, be careful that some dog breeds are not recommended for families with children.

Give Your Dog A Name

The dog needs to learn his name quickly so that you can get his attention during training. The name should also have a clear, loud voice that the dog can recognize. Names such as”Copper” or “Daisy” or “Max” have different sounds that your dog can recognize easily. You can also use dog name tags and tie that tag to your dog’s neck

Use your dog’s name frequently when you pet him, play with him, train him, or need his attention. If your dog looks at you when you call him, you will know that he has learned it.

Schedule Sufficient Time For Training

This will help initially if you start with 5-minute sessions spread throughout the day and stay no longer than 20 minutes. This is especially essential with dogs because they have little attention and get bored quickly, as a puppy.

You can also use a watch to note the time. However, these sessions are not the only time you train your dog. Training takes place throughout the day as you interact with your pet. Your dog is learning from you whenever you interact.

Prepare Yourself Mentally For Training Lessons

When you are training your dog, be peaceful, unbiased, and calm. Any provocation or excitement on your part will negatively affect the training results. It will help if you keep in mind that the purpose of training is to reinforce good dog behavior and ignore or not reinforce bad ones. It may seem challenging, but it takes determination and conviction to produce a well-trained dog.

Choose The Proper Equipment

A 6-7 foot (1.82-2 m) leash and a flat collar may be all you need to start along with your dog treats. Training equipment like a head halter, a metal training collar, a “No Pull” harness, may be required for larger dog breeds. Small dogs or Puppies generally do not need any harsh or rigid equipment.

Dog Basic Training

As a parent, perhaps you are wondering if you can train your dog at home or if you need to take your dog to a professional trainer. While training can be scary, it can be done by you and your furry friend together in your home or yard. All you need is information and patience, and you and your dog can enjoy the benefits of good behavior.

Obedience training is essential to enjoy time in public, at home, and around new people and other animals. With a well-behaved dog, you can meet the world safely and stress-free. A trained dog is less likely to bolt out the front door, get into a brawl with another dog, or jump up on a house guest.

So, where do you start? In this article, we try to cover the basics – the first command you can tell your dog about dog training that you can use is sit.

8 Basic Dog Training Commands

1. “Sit.” Command

The “sit” command is one of the straightforward commands to teach your dog a trick, and it is a great starting point. This command of obedience comes in handy when you want your puppy to sit quietly before eating, walking, or other exciting occasions. Once they recognize how to sit, you can move on to other commands that require them to sit first. Here’s how to get your furry friend to sit up:

Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose.
Please raise your hand so that they follow the treat until they sit up.
Once they sit down, say “sit,” and give them a treat and praise them.
Repeat these steps only some times each day until your puppy has mastered this ability.

2. “Come.” Command

Sometimes the strap slips from your hand, or you open the front door too long. In this case, you want your dog to come back to you when you call them by name. Thus, the importance of learning the “come” command as soon as possible. To teach your furry friend to come, take the following steps:

It will help if you put a collar and leash on your dog.
Bend down to your dog’s level and say “come” while softly tugging the leash.
When they reach you, will you give them a treat or appreciate them?
When your dog mastered the “come” command while having the leash, you can remove the leash and practice this command in a safe area.

3. “Stay.” Command

Once your dog can follow the “sit” command like a pro, you can move on to a command known as “stay.” Teaching your dogs to stay can be helpful in all situations. For example, what if you need to carry a heavy piece of furniture down the stairs? Or you are unlikely to get a small rover on your feet while moving from one place to another. Such an example would be a good time for your canine partner to sit down and stay calm.

Learning to STAY requires self-control, so it can be a difficult command to teach a mighty dog. However, you can do the most extreme deception with effort and practice to come back into positive action. Here’s how to learn the “stay” command.

Ask your furry friend to sit down.
Next, show them your open palm and say, “stay.”
Take a few steps back.
If your dog waits and stays, give them a treat and love.
If your dog doesn’t stay there, say “no” and take a few more steps back before trying again.
Increase the number of steps very slowly before rewarding your puppy.
Make sure to treat them every time they stop, even if they only stay for a few seconds.

4. “Down.” Command

The “down” command can be a problematic training technique because your puppy naturally wants to be watchful and protect you. They are in a more vulnerable condition when they are down to the floor. However, this rule can help visitors help your pup stay calm while enjoying a picnic, for example.

Here’s what to do:

Hold healthy, fragrant yummy treats in your hands and close your fists.
Hold the treat up to your dog’s nose.
Once your dog smells the treat from your hand, move your hand to the floor so that they follow the treat.
Glide the treat on the floor in front of your dog to follow the treat with his body.
Once your puppy is down, say “down,” and give them a treat and compliment them.
Repeat this command every day.
If your dog tries to sit up, move your hand away and say “no.” Do not push your puppy down but support them every step of the way. They’ll get there very soon.

5. “No” or “Leave” Command

To teach these commands first get some good treats. To ensure that you have your dog’s full attention towards you may need to use those dog treats which he is accustom to.

To teach “No” or “Leave” command follow these steps:

First, perform “Sit” command to get your dog’s focus towards you.
Always keep your dog on a leash, so you have full control of his behavior.
Set the scene by creating a diversion or activity that your dog will likely want to do. For instance, a piece of food lying on the floor may be a teaching aid or a suitable distraction.
Lead your dog close to the fallen food or other distraction. As your dog looks at the food or moves towards it, say “No” or “Leave and offer the dog a treat as a reward for stoping or turning towards you and leaving the distraction.
Also, praise your dog when he gives you attention.
Practice this training and make it progressively more difficult by distracting your dog with different items and experiences and by doing it in differing locations.

6. “Heel” Command

Teaching your adult or older dog to heel can be fun and easy. Use this extraordinary technique to help your canine companion learn to walk beside you.

To teach the “Heel” command follow these steps:

Get a lot of meaty treats, cut up into small pieces. Start indoor and walk around a spacious place/room or train in the hallway.
Call your pooch’s name and point to the side you want him to walk on (whichever side you choose (left or right)but left is in the conventional heel side).
As soon as your dog comes beside you, use a clicker or say “yes,” then reward. Do this 7-8 times, then stop calling him and pointing your side and allow your dog to come up beside you willingly.
You will soon need to increase your speed, turn, or move in a zig-zag fashion to “lose” him so he can find his same posture again.
Practice this until your dog learns it completely

7. “Wait” Command

To teach the wait command, you will need a yummy treat and a quick hand and do these steps:

Sit down on a couch and ask your dog to sit in front of you
When your dog is sitting quietly, show him a treat and ask him to wait
Slowly put the treat onto your knee while your dog sees you. If the dog reaches for the treat, take it away quickly and ask him again to sit and wait.
Repeat the process again and again
Finally, your dog will sit and wait despite the tempting treat on your knee often, and he will look directly into your eyes, demanding his treat.
When you are sure that your dog will not move, you can permit by saying “deal with it” and allowing your dog to take the yummy treat.

8. “Release” Command

To teach “Release” command follow these steps:

Start with your dog while he is in a sitting position.
Wait a few minutes and then give your dog your chosen release cue/sign and make a backward motion immediately with the treat.
Be very devoted and engaging so your dog must follow you.
Treat him as a reward if he follows you and repeat this step multiple times.
After your dog has effectively been released, you will want to decrease your motion slowly.
Slowly extend the waiting time until you give your dog the “Release” command, which will also strengthen the built-in stay.
You can then start to use the release cue with other commands like stand, lay down, or heel.

Once your dog knows these basic commands, they’ll be better prepared for more complex training or a training class involving other dogs.

How Long It Take To Train Your Dog Each Day?

Because dogs get distracted easily, try to keep training sessions regular and short. Train them every day for 15 minutes or less per session. You might break up 15 minutes of daily training into five-minute sessions each day — it’s up to you and your dog what works best for both of you. The key is to keep training short, fun, and lively.

Dog Training only costs a few bucks on some necessary instruments—otherwise, it’s your will, hard work, and motivation that matters.

Conclusion

Basic dog training commands are necessary for both dogs and owners. As they make your dog obedient, which relief the most tension of pet parents. These above-mentioned dog training commands are very easy to teach, and only 10-15 minutes daily. So, every dog owner must teach these basic commands to their dogs for their ease and dog welfare.

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