Say This not That

When deciding on commands for you and your dog remember that consistency is the main objective. It does not matter what word you use, just be consistent.

Additionally, there are two types of commands: Formal and Informal. Show dogs and all working dogs have more formal command than a family companion dog. Both types of commands are important. Your dog needs to learn various commands and you need to be consistent when you use them. Below is a list of some commands;

Formal

SIT: sit on the first command.

DOWN: lay down on the first command.

COME: Come directly to me and sit in front of me with all your attention on me.

HEEL: Walk on my left side with your shoulder next to my leg or knee. Do not pull-on leash. Follow my body and stay in that position. When I stop, you sit.

STAY: freeze in that position. Do not move until I give you another command.

There are more formal commands for various working dogs. Along with these formal commands you will hear other commands used with military, K9 police, herding, hunting, bird, show, Shutzhund, agility, tracking, service, livestock guard dogs and more.

Learn and use the basic formal commands, but also include informal commands for your companion dog.

Informal

WAIT: do not pass this threshold…of the doorway or car door, etc. This teaches the dog not to jump out of the car when the door is open but to wait in place until you say OKAY, which is the release to let the dog know it is ok to move forward now. Wait keeps the dog from bolting out of the door of your house or any doorway. They do not need to freeze as in the command Stay, but they cannot pass the threshold.

HERE: When walking your dog off leash in a dog friendly environment, the dog may not always follow you. If you want your dog to stay within a certain distance of you (within eyesight) use the command “Here” to get the dog to come closer to you. He/she does not need to run directly to you and sit in front of your feet, but you want him/her closer to you and walking in the same direction. This command is also useful in the house and a fenced in area. If I am in another room in my home, I will call the dog’s name and say “Here” to get my dog to come in the same room. Be aware of saying “Come Here”, the words are two different commands. Teach yourself and your dog the difference.

WALK: When you live in an apartment or condo or you are traveling, your dog will need to relieve themselves on leash. Because dogs need to sniff and find the perfect place, they need to walk on a loose leash and not stay by your side. They need space. They also do not need to pull on the leash. Training the dog to walk about 4 feet away, not pull and not to stay by your side requires a new informal command of Walk. And that leads to the next informal command,

GO POTTY: I feel stupid when I say “go potty”, but it is what I want my dog to do and those words are better said in public than other words. So, I taught my dogs to “go potty” on command. It tells them what I expect of them and why we are standing in a patch of grass at a rest stop near the highway. I am cold because I forgot my jacket in the truck and I am not going to stand here and walk around so you can smell everything.

UP: This command is simple. Jump up to get in the car, jump up to get on the grooming table. Jump up on whatever I am pointing to.

OFF: Off means off. Get off the table, get off of the hay bales, get off of the couch, and get off of my bed. If you have let your dog jump on you and put their front feet on you or any other human, then they need to be reminded to keep all four paws on the ground. Teach them the command Off.

LEAVE IT: This command is a life saver. Leave it means to stay away, don’t touch or eat or bark at whatever the dog has their attention on. I know that scrap of food smells good, but is could be poison, so “Leave it”. Other times when you want your dog to just “leave it” are when your dog thinks the guy on the bike would be fun to chase, the UPS truck is very fun to chase, chasing the cat is also fun as is eating anything and everything on the ground. You, the dog owner, decides what is or is not acceptable. “leave it” is a wonderful command.

Finally, every dog needs to know OKAY and NO.

NO: means NO

OKAY: means you are released from a stay position, you may move through the doorway, you may jump out of the car, you can take a break.

Okay, we are finished with this post