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.
Tips for Training your Dog
There's no denying that dogs are man's best friend. That's why dog lovers of all ages want to learn new ways to train their dogs to do fun things like come, sit, stay fetch and even roll over.
The good news is that basic dog training doesn't need to be boring. Dog's like humans, love games. The surest way to get your dog to listen to you is to make training fun.
What Should I Teach My Dog First?
Teaching your dog basic commands is an important foundation to building a strong dog-human relationship.
Whether you want to show off your pet at a dog show or have a superobedient dog at home, there are several tried-and-true methods for teaching your dog basic commands.
As any dog owner knows, teaching your dog to come is an essential skill. Not only does it help you keep your dog safe, but it’s also a great way to exercise the two of you.
Here are some easy steps you can take to teach your dog to come when you call: Timing is everything.
When you call your dog to come, don’t wait for him to finish what he’s doing or come when he feels like it. Call him as soon as he’s done with whatever it is he’s doing and make sure you’re ready to reward him immediately when he gets to you.
There are many techniques you can use to teach your dog to come when called. The method you choose should be based on your dog’s personality, breed, and age.
Some methods work better with certain dog breeds. You should find the training method that is best for you and 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.
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?
Training a dog can be a long, seemingly never-ending process, but if you break it down into baby steps, you can shave off a lot of the time it takes to train your dog.
Proper training not only improves your dog's behavior, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your dog.
Time matters in training. 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 Training Inside your Home or Yard
- First, put your dog on a long dog leash.
- Hold the other end of the leash, say "come" once, and move backward. I hold out a treat for the first time.
- Keep moving backward until your dog comes to you, showing your treat.
- When your dog catches up to you, say "Yes, good boy/girl and give the treat!"
- Keep repeating until your dog is coming to you.
- 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" primary 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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!
- If he doesn’t, say “No.” Put him in a "sit" position and start again.
- 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.
- 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.
- Once he has his toy back, you do it over again.
How to train the Go to Bed command
Learning "bed" or "crate" tell your dog that it's 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.
- Start with your high value treats.
- Have him come to his bed and tell him “down” Give him a treat.
- If he stays in a "down" position, give him or her a few more treats.
- Be sure and release him with “ok” or “free” after a few seconds.
- Encourage him to get off the bed when you release him.
- Now, repeat this 3-4 times.
- Now stand near the bed. Wait! If he gets on his or her bed, give your dog a yummy treat!
- If he lays "down," give tons of praise and treats! What a wonderful dog!
- Next time start by standing next to his bed and saying “bed.” Treats in hand.
- 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.
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