If you're a dog owner, you've likely experienced those moments when your dog's behavior makes you wish you'd invested more time in training. Whether it's bolting after a squirrel, refusing to drop your favorite shoe, or pulling you down the street like a sled dog, these situations aren't just frustrating—they can be dangerous. While there are dozens of commands you can teach your dog, five essential ones stand out as vital for both safety and sanity. Before getting into more advanced training past the basics, mastering these basic building blocks of a well-mannered canine companion could literally save your dog's life.
Teaching your dog to come when called stands out as the most essential command for their safety and your peace of mind. This recall command can prevent your dog from running into traffic, approaching aggressive animals, or wandering off in dangerous situations.
Start training in a quiet, enclosed area using high-value treats and an enthusiastic tone. Call your dog's name followed by "come" while they're already heading toward you. When they reach you, immediately reward them with treats and praise. You can also put them on a long line and gently guide them towards you as you praise and reward.
Don't punish your dog if they take time to respond, as this will create negative associations with coming to you.
Gradually increase distractions and distance as your dog improves. Practice in your backyard, then in parks with a long leash. Vary your rewards between treats, toys, and praise to maintain interest. Always make coming to you a positive experience.
Remember to use the command sparingly during training - only call when you're confident your dog will respond. If they ignore you, don't repeat the command. Instead, grab the long line and gently encourage them to come to you. If there are too many distractions at this stage of training go back to easier training scenarios and rebuild their response reliability.
The essential "sit" and "stay" commands work together as foundational building blocks for all other dog training. Teaching these commands creates a framework for impulse control and helps establish you as the pack leader.
To teach "sit," hold a treat close to your dog's nose, then slowly move it up and back over their head. As your dog follows the treat with their nose, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground. When they're in position, say "sit" and immediately reward them. If you are struggling you may have to gently put them in the sit position and then give them a treat. Practice this several times daily until they respond to the verbal command alone.
For "stay," start with your dog in a sitting position. Hold your palm up like a stop signal, say "stay," and take one step back. If your dog remains seated for a few seconds, reward them. Gradually increase the distance and duration, always returning to reward them in the position where you left them.
Common mistakes to avoid include moving too quickly through the training steps, inconsistent hand signals, and rewarding your dog when they've broken position.
Remember that patience and consistency are vital for mastering these fundamental commands.
Safety hinges on your dog's ability to release items from their mouth on command. "Drop it" prevents dangerous situations when your dog picks up harmful objects and helps avoid resource guarding behaviors.
Start teaching "drop it" by offering your dog a toy they enjoy. Let them play with it briefly, then present a high-value treat near their nose. When they release the toy to take the treat, say "drop it" and immediately give them the reward.
Once they've eaten the treat, return the toy, reinforcing that giving up items leads to positive outcomes. Practice this command in different settings and with various objects of increasing value.
Don't chase your dog and if you have to actually take the object out of their mouth. Make sure that you treat immediately saying, “good Drop”. Let the dog drop the object in your hand before you give a treat. If you play tug of war with the object this can trigger possessive behavior. Instead, always trade for something better. If your dog refuses to drop an item, try using an even higher-value treat.
Once your dog masters the basics, gradually reduce the frequency of treats and occasionally return the dropped item without a food reward. This teaches them that "drop it" doesn't always mean losing their prized possession permanently.
While "drop it" tells your dog to release something already in their mouth, "leave it" prevents them from picking up items in the first place. This command can protect your dog from consuming dangerous substances, like toxic foods, medications, or hazardous materials on walks.
To teach "leave it," place a treat on the floor and cover it with your foot. When your dog loses interest in trying to get the treat, mark the moment with a "yes or good" and reward them with a different, higher-value treat from your hand.
Gradually progress to leaving the treat uncovered, but be ready to cover it if your dog tries to grab it. You can also hold them back on the leash until they no longer show an interest.
Once your dog masters the basic exercise, practice with different items and in various environments. Start with low-value items and work up to more tempting ones.
You'll want to use this command when passing other dogs' food bowls, encountering dead animals on walks, or spotting dropped food at outdoor cafes.
Remember to always reward your dog for complying, as this reinforces that choosing to leave something alone leads to better rewards.
Mastering loose leash walking ranks among the most essential yet challenging skills for dog owners. When your dog pulls on the leash, it creates an unpleasant and potentially dangerous situation for both you and your pet. Teaching loose leash walking requires consistency, patience, and the right technique.
Start by choosing a side for your dog to walk on and stick to it. When your dog begins to pull, immediately stop walking, step back and do a reverse pivot, pop on the leash and when the leash becomes slack then give them a treat. This teaches them to pay attention to your movements. Reward your dog with treats when they walk beside you with a loose leash.
Keep training sessions short at first, practicing in areas with minimal distractions. As your dog improves, gradually increase the duration and introduce more challenging environments.
Don't forget to maintain a brisk walking pace – this helps keep your dog engaged and focused on you. If your dog's pulling persists, consider using other training tools, but avoid retractable leashes as they can reinforce pulling behavior.
Training your dog in these essential commands isn't just about obedience - it's about safety and building trust. When you've mastered "Come," "Sit," "Stay," "Drop It," and "Leave It," you'll have a more confident and responsive companion. Remember, consistency and positive reinforcement are your best tools. Don't rush the process; take time to practice daily, and you'll see remarkable results in your dog's behavior.