“Following commands keep us safe. Also, we get treats!”
Ooh, did I hear treats?
Learn the importance of basic commands, and how to teach them
The 15 Basic Commands are to: Learn Your Name, Sit, Down, Stand, Touch, Stay, Recall (Come), Leave It, Drop It, Wait, Take It, Look at Me, Heel, Go Home, Off. This might seem like a lot, but be patient.
Your Name
Useful when you want your dog’s attention. Yes, your dog has to learn its name (we forgot, but he knows it now!)
Make sure dog is not already looking at you
Say the name to grab attention
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog looks at you.
Sit
Useful when your dog is waiting or being a good boy. Also, it needs to learn “sit” for many other commands.
Hold treat just above nose (not too high or else they’ll jump)
Move treat towards its ears
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog sits. Make sure their booty touches the ground. No hovering. That’s cheating!
Down
Very useful, but can be tricky to learn. It might make them feel vulnerable!
Tell dog to “sit”
Option A. Lure treat from nose to floor so dog goes down
Option B. Lie down on the ground with the dog - dog may lie down next to you
Say “yes!” and reward only when the entire body touches the ground.
Stand
Useful when getting groomed or when you need to touch the underbelly.
Tell dog to “sit”
Hold treat in fist in front of nose
Drag fist away from nose slowly (helps to get down to dog eye level)
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog stands on all 4 legs like the photo.
Touch
Useful when you want to teach dog to touch objects later (critical for touching clippers for nail cutting, bell for potty training, etc.)
Tell dog to “sit”
Lure dogs nose to palm (facing the dog, fingers to the side) with treat
If this doesn’t work, try with a fist with a treat inside first. Then, open your palm.
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog touches its nose to your palm.
Stay
Useful when you want your dog to stay put (e.g. for when you need to look away)
Tell dog to “sit”
Hold out palm and take a few steps back.
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog doesn’t move towards you as you move back.
Increase the distance slowly when it gets the hang of it.
Recall (come)
Useful when you want your dog to come back - after play time, around the house.
Tell dog to “sit”
Toss a treat or kibble a few feet away
Say “yes! Come!” and reward when the dog runs towards you. Eventually, you should move training outside and increase distractions.
This can save your dog’s life if there is danger nearby (another animal, angry dog, vehicles).
Leave It
Useful when there is something on the floor and you don’t want your dog touching, eating, or licking (e.g. poop, random food, trash)
Tell dog to “sit”
Put a treat on the floor
Put your hand over the treat (dog should be pawing at your hand to get the treat)
Say “yes! Leave It!” and reward when the dog steps back and stops pawing.
Repeat steps 2 and 3, but without covering the treat. Reward when dog leaves the treat alone!
Drop It
Useful when you want your pup to drop a toy, or something your dog shouldn’t eat. This also helps prevent resource guarding (growling when you or dogs take its toy or food). Bully stick in this example, but you can use a toy or anything your dog values.
Have dog chew a bully stick, and don’t let go!
While dog is chewing, give a high value treat with the other hand - do not take the bully sticky away voluntarily.
When dog drops bully stick voluntarily on its own, pull it away
Return the bully stick and repeat step 3 and 4!
Say “yes! Drop it!” and reward each time the dog drops the bully stick.
Continue for a few minutes, and your dog will get the hang of “drop it”.
Wait
Useful for your dog to know patience and self control. This can be before while feeding meals.
Tell dog to “sit”
Put down food
Say “wait” and don’t let go
If dog moves towards it, take the food away and do 3. again
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog sits patiently and doesn’t move toward the food.
Take It
Useful when telling your dog something is ok to take (meals, treats, toys). This is done in conjunction with “wait”.
Tell dog to “wait” (have food out)
After waiting for a few seconds, say “Take it”
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog when the dog eats the kibble
“Take it” later is used for learning how to catch a frisbee, too!
Look at Me
Useful when you want your dog’s attention.
Make sure dog is not looking at you already
Make a noise (we used 2 kissy noises)
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog looks at you within two seconds. Once dog gets the hang of it, the dog should look at you immediately.
Heel
Useful when you need your dog to walk on your side. There might be someone or another dog approaching who doesn’t like dogs.
Use a treat to lure the dog to sit/stand next to you. Don’t automatically stand next to the dog to start
Start walking with the leash LOOSE in the hand opposite of where your dog is*
Lure the dog to walk forward with you by following the treat and say “heel” at the same time
Say “yes! heel!” and reward when the dog walks beside you for a few steps. Increase # of steps over time.
* if dog is on your right, leash should be in your left hand
Go Home / Kennel
Useful when you are crate training, and would like your dog to back to the crate.
Sit near the crate with dog
Toss treat in crate
Point to crate
As dog goes into the crate, say “go home!”
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog goes inside the crate.
Increase the distance slowly, and eventually take away the treat once consistent.
Off
Useful when you want your dog off other people and kids, couch, and bed.
Method 1:
As the dog is sitting or hanging where you do want it, point and say “Off!”
Say “yes!” and reward when the dog gets off the bed or couch.
Method 2 (to not jump on people):
One person holds the leash
Second person walks towards dog
If dog jumps, walk back (repeat until dog does not jump)
Say “yes!” and reward or pet the dog when it stays sitting as you approach.
Continue this training with strangers and friends.