3 Important Commands To Teach Your Dog

Dog training has two different components: commands and tricks. Tricks are fun and entertaining but they don’t really serve any practical purpose. Commands, on the other hand, are vital skills that dogs need to learn for their own safety and well-being, as well as that of the people around them.

Teaching your dog commands by yourself can be challenging and frustrating, so you may want to go to a dog obedience training company Saint Anns for help. Whether you hire professionals or handle it on your own, there are a handful of commands that your dog should learn right away.

1. Come

Despite your best efforts, sometimes your dog can accidentally get away from you. If this happens, it is helpful to be able to call your dog back to you and be confident that he will respond.

2. Sit

Sit is one of the most basic commands. This is a skill that your dog must master before he can learn some of the others. Fortunately, it is also fairly easy to teach. Start by bringing a treat or the dog’s dish close to his nose, then raise it up high above his head. Gravity starts to take over as he watches the progress, and you will see his rear end lowering. Say the command “sit” once his bottom reaches the floor and then reward him with the food.

3. Stay

Sit and stay commands both help you to keep your dog under control. However, you cannot teach the latter until your dog has mastered the former. Now, because you don’t want your dog to remain motionless forever, you also have to teach her a release command that allows her to move again. This is a complicated, multi-step process, but the end result is worth it.

There are many other commands that are important to teach your dog. However, these are the ones he should learn first. As a pet owner, you are responsible for your dog, and it is up to you to control him, especially around other people. Commands help you do this safely and humanely.