5 Essential Commands to Teach Your Dog: A Beginner's Guide

Bringing a new dog into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. As a responsible pet owner in Australia, one of the first things you'll want to do is ensure your furry friend is well-trained and can follow basic commands.

Training your dog fosters a strong bond and promotes good behaviour, providing a harmonious relationship between you and your canine companion. In this beginner's guide, we'll explore the five essential commands to teach your dog.

Before diving into other training exercises, first, you must master the:

Heel Command / Walking Side-By-Side

The "Heel" command teaches your dog to walk politely by your side without pulling on the leash. It enhances the walking experience for both you and your canine companion. To teach the "Heel" command:

Begin walking with your dog on a loose leash.
Say "Heel" and encourage them to walk beside you.
If they pull or stray, stop walking and wait for them to return to your side.
Reward them with treats or praise when they walk correctly.

Sit Command

The "Sit" command is a fundamental yet vital command that forms the basis for other training exercises. Teaching your dog to sit on command helps instil discipline and control in everyday situations. To begin training, follow these steps:

Find a quiet and comfortable space to train your dog.
Hold a treat close to your dog's nose, allowing them to sniff it.
Slowly raise the treat above their head, prompting them to sit naturally.
Once they are in the sitting position, say "Sit" clearly and firmly.
Reward them with the treat and praise when they sit correctly.

Repeating this process regularly will reinforce the command and help your dog grasp the concept quickly.

Stay Command

The "Stay" command is crucial for your dog's safety and obedience. It prevents them from wandering into potentially dangerous situations or causing disruptions. To teach your dog to stay:

Ask your dog to sit or lie down.
Hold your hand, palm-out, in front of their face and say "Stay" in a steady voice.
Take a step back while maintaining eye contact with your dog.
If they remain in position, reward them with praise or a treat.
Gradually increase the distance and duration of the "Stay" as your dog becomes more proficient.

Come Command

The "Come" command is essential for calling your dog back to you, especially in public places or during off-leash activities. It ensures their safety and enables you to maintain control over their movements. To teach the "Come" command:

Put your dog on a leash and crouch down to their level.
Gently tug the leash and say "Come" in an inviting tone.
When they come to you, offer them your chosen reward.
Practice this command in various locations to reinforce the behaviour.

Leave It Command

The "Leave It" command helps prevent your dog from picking up harmful objects or consuming toxic substances. This command is particularly useful during walks or outings. To teach your dog to "Leave It":

Show your dog a treat in your closed hand.
Say "Leave It" firmly and wait until they stop trying to get the treat.
Once they stop, reward them with a different treat from your other hand.
Practice this command with various objects, gradually increasing difficulty.

Mastering the essential commands of walking by your side, sit, stay, come, and leave lays the foundation for a harmonious bond with your furry companion. Like achieving any personal goal, investing time and effort into your dog's training will lead to a grateful and loving relationship.

Want an expert's opinion on your training habits? Then share your progress by recording and sending us your training videos. We'll be thrilled to witness your transformation into "The Dog Trainer." Remember, your dog will cherish and respect the effort you invest in training, just like we remember and appreciate our teachers. Happy training!

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us here if you have any questions regarding pet food and training or follow along on Facebook, Instagram & Youtube for more tips, tricks, and a round howl-arious time.