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Teaching your dog to come, stay off or go to bed are some basic commands that your dog should know. Here's some tips and tricks to train your dog to come, stay or go to bed.

Don’t you love it when you’re calling your dog’s name and they ignore you as their running around smelling everything?

Years ago I had a black lab, named Princess.  When I called her name, she thought that meant to run in the opposite direction!

One time she almost got hit by a car!

I was a nervous wreck, but I realize how important it is to train your dog to come when called, so I started working at training her.

I soon discovered that training with her daily, even for 10 minutes a day, she eventually learned to come when called.

It’s an important skill to teach dogs in case they ever get loose, or you’re in an open area.

Easy Video to Train your Dog

It’s easy to feel irritated when your dog doesn’t come. 

Teaching the skill takes a lot of patience.

It’s important when training your dog’s that you teach them it’s better for them to come to you than it is to run away from you.

When training always use treats for rewards they love, such as liver training treats.

You can find Freeze-dried in bulk that makes your own training treats.

I always carry a dog treat training bag with me, it's easy to use and lightweight.

I love making homemade dog food treats for my dog.

By giving my dog a treat whenever she came, she quickly learned what that when she came she received a reward.

You want to practice this in order for your dog to learn the minute he or she is called.

While most dogs easily learn the basics sit and giving your paw.

Having them learn to come when calling their name, takes practice, practice and more practice.

How long does it take to train a Dog?

It took months for my dog to come when called, especially if there were distractions nearby. 

Keep working on it and your dog will be more interested in running back to you for its treats than what’s going on around in the area they are in.

How to Train your Dog to "Come"

After having chased many a dog, this one I find is most crucial. 

I used to admire the dogs who turn on a dime and head back to their owners the minute they asked to "come."

My dogs never started out that way. It took months of practice to teach my dogs to come.

I've since taught my dogs this command, not only for their safety but my own.

Always start this training inside your home or yard before you move outdoors.

1. First, put your dog on a long dog leash.
2. Hold the other end of the leash, say "come" once, and move backward. I hold out a treat the first time.
3. Keep moving backward until your dog comes to you, showing your treat.
4. When your dog catches up to you, say "Yes, good boy/girl and give the treat!"
5. Keep repeating until your dog is coming to you.
6. At first, you'll reward your pet with treats. The treats will slow down as your pet learns to “come.”

How to Train the "Off" command

Dog's won't understand "off" means stay off the furniture, but at least they'll get off when they hear the command to move.

Teaching them "Off" main purpose is not to jump up on you or anyone else. 

I admit, my dog was horrible at learning this command, she got it… around age 8!

Don’t get discouraged, they learn.

1. One of the easiest ways to teach the “off” is to turn your back on your dog when he or she tries to jump on you. Say "off" and place your dog into a “sit” position.  Praise and treat.
2. You can tell when a dog will jump. If you see him coming, raise your knee before he jumps, saying “off.”  You’ll want to be careful because you can hurt your dog if you do this too hard.
3. If your dog jumps on you, you can take the front paws of the dog as he jumps. Walking towards him while saying "off." This makes him stumble backward into a sitting position. If he resists, give the paws a gentle squeeze as you say "off."
4. Practice and consistency is the key to learning the "off" command.

How to Train the "Okay" command

Dogs love this command "Okay" means they've done a good job.  

They can act silly for a while. 

Hey, maybe it's time for dinner!

1. You’ll teach “okay” from a “sit” position. Put the treat near his or her nose and give the command to “stay” while taking a few steps away. If your dog stays and waits, praise and treats!
2. If he doesn’t, say “No.” Put him in a "sit" position and start again.
3. To get this, you'll want to repeat several times a day, especially in energetic dogs.

How to train the "Out" command

Dogs sense a good thing when they see and taste it.

The chances of them giving up a bone from the trash or your leather loafers can present a challenge if they haven't learned "out."

This command means they drop whatever's in their mouth.

They'll dislike it, but they'll learn it as long as you teach them "out" when they're young.

 I have used this command in several ways, “out” “drop it” or “give.” I suggest in these instances it’s best to start with “out.” It’s short and easy for a dog to understand.

1. You'll teach this command by playing a game. If he has a chew toy, you bring the treats, when he drops his toy, you say “out” and reward with the treat.
2. Once he has his toy back, you do it over again.

How to train the "Bed" command

Learning "bed" or "crate" tell your dog, time to head for his sleeping place.

This is useful not only at bedtime but when you want him to quiet down for a while.

This is a skill that takes lots of practice.

1. Start with your high value treats.
2. Have him come to his bed and tell him “down” Give him a treat.
3. If he stays in a "down" position, give him or her a few more treats.
4. Be sure and release him with “ok” or “free” after a few seconds.
5. Encourage him to get off the bed when you release him.
6. Now, repeat this 3-4 times.
7. Now stand near the bed.  Wait! If he gets on his or her bed, give your dog a yummy treat!
8. If he lays "down," give tons of praise and treats! What a good dog!
9. Next time start by standing next to his bed and saying “bed.” Treats in hand.
10.  Stand near the bed, as your dog gets on and lies "down," say "bed.". Yay, give your dog a treat when he lies "down!"

Setting your Dog up for Success

You'll want to set your dog up for success.

If he stayed on his bed for 10 seconds yesterday, try 15 seconds today, not 30!

If your dog gets up add duration or distance, go back to your dog, say “bed,” and try again.

Work up to being able to send your dog to his “bed” from the other side of the house and having him stay while you eat dinner!

Let me know how your dog training is going! I'd love to hear.

Barks! Please share Woof!