Seven Simple Commands Every Dog Must Learn

Train your dog to sit, stay, lie down, and come when called.

With a little practice, your dog will master the basics and have a solid foundation to begin learning more advanced commands.

The “look at me” or “watch me” command: Teaching your dog to pay attention to you is very important.  If you can get your dog to ignore things around him and focus on you, it will be much easier to teach him things

“Bark” command: Training your dog to bark on command has another hidden feature – you can also train her to stop barking on command.  Hold a particular toy, such as a ball or squeak toy that causes your dog to bark.  Give the command BARK.

“Heel” command: It is the phrase you give your dog when on a walk.  It represents for the dog a style of walking and lets him know when you are moving from one place to another. Your dog understands that this command means you are moving on, so it can be used to move the dog away from something it is currently doing.  It tells the dog you are leaving and to follow you.

“Wait/Stay”command: Wait is about asking your dog not to cross an invisible or real boundary line until you have given it permission.  Stay asks the dog to hold a particular position, like sit or down, and stay in a particular location.  Teaching a good, strong stay means you know you can place your dog in a position and hopefully count on it to stay there.

“Come” command: This command is vital and could really be a case of life or death in the event of an emergency.  Your dog should be trained to understand to come to you on the first command.  Come should always be trained in a positive and fun manner.

“Fetch” command: Have a slit in a tennis ball (a smaller, rubber ball if that is too big). Put some food inside the tennis ball.  Show your dog that there is food in there, and give him one.  Now, throw the ball.  In the beginning, run with him and get the ball and then give him the food.  Soon you will be able to throw the ball and he will go get it.

“Drop” command: Training your dog to “drop it” means teaching your dog to let go of whatever is in his mouth on command.  It can protect him when he has something dangerous in his mouth, plus it allows you and your dog to safely play games like tug-of-war.