Every dog owner desires a dog that is well-behaved and obedient and responds to all commands. Fortunately, if you begin training your dog using fundamental instructions immediately after bringing them home, their obedience will transform into reality.
Many inexperienced owners believe that young dogs have limited attention spans and cannot be taught from an early age; however, this is a misconception! Your pup’s training starts from the day you bring them home and persists throughout their lifespan.
Teaching essential dog training commands should begin irrespective of whether you have brought home a new puppy or adopted an adult dog.
Throughout time, those fundamental directives have rescued my canine on multiple instances, and I firmly hold the belief that all canines ought to be proficient in the five indispensable obedience commands of today.
Five Essential Commands To Teach Your Dog
Teaching your dog obedience from an early stage reduces the risk of it getting into trouble when outside. Therefore, it’s important to begin training your furry friend today, starting with:
1. The Heel Command
In case you have witnessed a scenario where a dog owner had to chase their dog to prevent themselves from being pulled on the road, it indicates that the dog hasn’t been taught to follow the “heel” command. If you desire to be the one who walks their dog without experiencing it tug at them, training them to obey this command should be your primary focus.
During obedience training, the command “heel” instructs your dog to walk by your left side at the same level as your knees, without tugging on the leash. The purpose of this training is to instill in your puppy the ability to walk calmly on a slack leash, without tugging or setting the pace.
Bear in mind that a few expert trainers prefer to utilize “let’s go” or “forward” instead of “heel” as a signal. Nevertheless, you can employ any signal of your choice provided that you consistently use the same word as the instruction.
As you continue with your dog’s training, gradually increase the distance between treat rewards. Move from giving a treat for every step to rewarding your pup every fifth step and so on. Over time, your dog will learn to walk calmly beside you whenever you are out.
2. The Sit Command
One of the most fundamental commands to teach dogs is the sit command. It is an excellent command to commence with since it prepares canines to learn more complex commands like “come” and “stay.” Familiarity with how to sit is advantageous for your dog’s training.
When teaching your puppy how to sit, position yourself in front of them and use a treat as a lure. Hold the treat directly in front of your puppy’s nose, but prevent them from grabbing it. Gradually lift the treat over their head instead. Typically, dogs will sit down and lift their head towards the treat in this scenario.
Offer the treat to your dog when their backside makes contact with the ground. Practice this process a few times, then entice your dog to sit by using an empty hand. Nonetheless, persist in showing your appreciation and giving compliments to your dog once they sit down.
Once your dog becomes familiar with the hand gesture for sitting, you can add the verbal command “sit” before using the hand signal. With persistence, endurance, and generous rewards and words of encouragement, your furry friend will comply with your request to sit promptly and consistently.
3. The Stay Command
The fundamental command “stay” is crucial in enhancing your dog’s obedience. Prior to teaching your dog to stay, ensure they are familiar with the command “sit” and can execute it appropriately. Spend more time reinforcing the “sit” command if your dog hasn’t learned it yet before progressing to the “stay” command.
Begin by commanding your dog to sit and then extend your palm in front of you, saying, “Stay.” After waiting a few moments, reward and compliment your furry friend for remaining still. Repeat this exercise several times using the same approach and give your dog treats as positive reinforcement for following your orders.
Firstly, request your canine companion to sit and subsequently, move a step away and instruct them to remain seated. After a period of three seconds, move back towards your dog and provide them with treats and commendations for successfully staying put. As time progresses, enhance the number of steps you take before presenting your pooch with a treat and congratulating them for effectively being in the same spot.
It is important to remember that your dog should be rewarded every time they stay in place, even if it is only for a short while. It can be a difficult command for some dogs to learn, so it is necessary to be persistent and patient during the training process for effective outcomes.
4. The Come When Called Command
Teaching your pup to obey the “come when called” command, also referred to as “recall,” holds great significance in terms of obedience training. Nonetheless, it can be a challenging task, hence initiating the training process at an early age, preferably between six to eight weeks, is crucial.
Instruct your young dog to take a seat and then position yourself on the floor directly before them. Utilize either their name or the directive “come” with great enthusiasm. As your pooch won’t have to venture too far to come to you, you can reward them with treats and lavish praise upon their arrival.
Attempt the same thing again, but this time position yourself a little farther away from your furry friend. Use an eager tone to call out to your pet and offer ample rewards as they race into your waiting embrace. Keep perfecting the come instruction indoors while gradually increasing the gap between you and your dog.
Once your pup’s recall seems reliable indoors, you can start practicing outdoors in an enclosed garden or a backyard. When your dog seems capable of coming when called outside despite all the distractions, it’s time to kick things up a notch and take your pooch to the park.
5. How To Teach A Dog To Lie Down
The command “lie down” is a fundamental instruction for dogs that can improve your control over them and teach them to lie down on command. Begin by holding a treat in your hand and gradually lowering it from your dog’s nose to the ground. Your dog will attempt to follow the treat and rest on the ground, and once they do, reward them with the treat and heaps of commendation.
Keep practicing with a treat for a few more rounds and applaud your dog enthusiastically every time they lay down. Later on, bring an empty hand to the ground and give your furry friend a treat only when they lie down after a few attempts.
As soon as you notice your dog responding to your hand gesture, verbalize the command “lie down” while simultaneously lowering your hand to the ground. Keep rehearsing and praising your dog’s progress, and eventually they will learn to lie down on command without the need for a treat.
BONUS: How to Train Dogs Who Are Not Food Motivated
Training a dog becomes effortless when you realize that the majority are ready to comply with your requests in exchange for a treat, which serves as a reward. However, what is the solution when a dog lacks enthusiasm for food and proves challenging to train?
When your dog lacks motivation, getting them to follow commands during training can be a daunting task. An effective strategy is finding something that captures their interest and persuades them to obey you. If treats are not yielding results, it is essential to explore alternative methods. Fortunately, numerous tools exist that can aid you in the training of your furry companion.
It is crucial to comprehend the reason behind a dog’s disinterest in food before delving into other forms of training motivation.
Occasionally, a health problem may be a factor. Alternatively, your canine companion may simply not find the treats you are providing suitable. Furthermore, when a dog lacks interest in food, it can be because their owner is not keen on using it as a training aid. Identifying the root cause is the vital initial stage.
Although rare, a few dogs exhibit a preference for high-energy play, toys, or social rewards instead of food, but they are usually in the minority.
The Impact of Free-Feeding Dogs
Dogs who are given unrestricted access to their food, known as free-feeding, may lose their appetite and become finicky. Unlike scheduled feeding, free-feeding allows dogs to eat whenever they please, which can cause a lack of interest in food.
Often, dogs who are free-fed will respond to high-value treats because they find them tastier than their regular food. The other remedy, of course, is to start feeding your dog at scheduled times. The right meal schedule for your dog depends on several factors, such as age, breed, size, activity level and other health factors. Your veterinarian can help you determine how often and how much to feed your dog at each meal.
The Problem of Misusing Treats
Dog owners may unintentionally decrease their dog’s desire for food, which can occur when treats are used inappropriately. Using treats as a way to entice a dog into their crate or forcing them to take a bath can lead to negative associations with treats, causing the dog to avoid them. In these cases, the dog may associate treats with something unpleasant or frightening.
To prevent treats from being misused, discover techniques to turn activities your dog does not enjoy (such as being locked in a crate or being bathed) into more enjoyable experiences. Dog trainers commonly use methods like desensitization and counter conditioning to accomplish this objective. Keep treats enjoyable and pleasant for your dog.
Dogs Being Too Distracted, Anxious or Overexcited
If your dog shows no interest in food while in training class or on walks, it could be a sign of being too thrilled or anxious. This condition is called “over the threshold” by professional dog trainers. In such a state, the emotional intensity of your dog is too high for it to eat or think at a higher level, which includes learning.
It’s a typical response in both humans and animals. When a dog is in a state of fight or flight, blood shifts from the digestive system towards its limbs and sensory organs in preparation for action. This allows the dog to be alert and ready to react.
If dogs are excessively enthusiastic, they must be kept away from things that rouse them. They feel insecure and must understand how to relax. There are different ways of modifying their behavior that can assist dogs in reducing their uneasiness and vulnerability to environmental triggers.
Owners Not Wanting to Use Food
There could be several reasons why individuals feel uneasy utilizing food as a means of rewarding during training sessions.
- Some owners are concerned about the extra calories in treats or don’t want to spend money on treats. This can be addressed by using low-calorie treats or mixing the dog’s kibble with low-sodium hot dog pieces for added aroma and flavor.
- There are some people who believe a dog should “obey” every command their owner gives them. This comes from the antiquated belief dogs are born to please their masters. It’s important for dog owners to understand dogs need an incentive to be motivated to learn and perform.
- Sometimes people claim their dog isn’t food motivated when the issue is the dog doesn’t like the treats. Try a variety of treats to find ones your dog prefers so they are ready and willing to participate in training sessions.
Your Dog Might Be Thirsty
Providing your dog with water is crucial, particularly during training sessions, as sometimes dogs who abruptly stop consuming food may just be in need of hydration. Allow your dog to drink some water, and they may then be prepared to resume participating in the training.
Your Dog Might be Tired or Confused
At times, a dog might get perplexed during their training sessions as they may fail to comprehend the command. They may also feel fatigued and as a result, they may reject food and display displacement activities like sneezing, yawning or scratching. In such cases, it could be beneficial to break down the training into smaller steps or take a break or have a shorter training session.
Your Dog May Be Afraid of Punishment
Dogs who are submissive or have been reprimanded for eating food might avoid taking treats by turning their head in the opposite direction. It’s crucial for these dogs to understand that it’s safe to receive food.
Final Thoughts
In the event that your dog lacks an interest in food as a motivator, it is important to identify the root cause. While searching for the cause, employ things that your dog enjoys to reinforce positive behaviors, such as their preferred toy, ball, a comforting pat, or words of praise. It may be necessary to experiment with what you offer to determine if it is genuinely favorable to your dog. As a general rule, if you observe your dog making progress in executing the targeted behavior, then you are on the right track. However, if the behavior is deteriorating, it is possible that the reinforcement you are using is not sufficiently valuable or there may be too many other appealing motivators around your dog.
