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Who wouldn’t want a calm and obedient dog. For one thing, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs and less likely to get into trouble. Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavioral problems. Teaching basic dog commands is essential to having a well trained and easy to live with dog.
When you start training your dog or having someone else help you train him, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained.
Basic Dog Training Commands
Eye contact
Eye contact is the first thing that should be taught to any dog. Getting your dog’s attention is the best way to know that he hears you and is paying attention when you give him a basic dog command.
Heel
Taking your dog for a walk should be fun and not a constant battle with your dog pulling you the whole time. Teaching your dog to walk nicely beside you will make your walks so much more enjoyable. Since exercising your dog is an important part of dog ownership, teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash is essential.
No
Every dog should learn the word “no”. It’s not a word that should be overused but if they are doing something destructive or dangerous it’s definitely something that they should understand.
Sit
Training your dog to sit is a great way to teach your dog manners. When someone wants to pat your dog, have the dog sit first. This way your dog is less likely to jump up on the person. The sit command also goes well with the stay command.
Stay
The stay command is a very important command to teach any dog. When you teach your dog to stay, he should stay where you asked him to.
Recall
Teaching a recall, could save your dog’s life. If your dog is off leash teaching him to come when called is very important. By teaching your dog a reliable recall, he can have a lot more freedom off leash.
Down
Teaching your dog to lay down is part of any basic obedience training program. This command is perfect for teaching your dog to settle or going to his “place”.
Why Is Teaching Basic Dog Commands Important?
1. Increase Your Bond With Your Dog
Training your dog doesn’t only create a well trained dog, it’s a great way to increase your bond with your dog. By using positive reinforcement methods of dog training your dog will learn to look forward to his training time with you.
2. Establish Yourself As The Pack Leader
Dogs are pack animals and need to have a leader to follow. In every household with a dog it is the owner’s responsiblity to establish themselves as the pack leader. Obedience training can help with this. Dogs who do not have a pack leader can develop all sorts of behavior problems.
3. You’ll Have A Happier Dog
Dogs that have positive reinforcement obedience training are overall happier dogs. Training is a great way to build confidence in a dog which can help relieve stress and anxiety. It also gives them more freedom as a well trained dog is easier to take out in public than a dog with no training.
4. Allows Your Dog To Be A Good Member Of The Community
Dogs that have been properly trained are able to be out in the community which opens up a whole new world of opportunities for them. They can accompany their family to more locations, even some stores and restaurants. This provides extra opportunities for socialization, mental stimulation and exercise for your dog.
5. Helps To Prevent Boredom
Training your dog can help to prevent boredom which can lead to undesirable behaviors such as barking, digging, chewing, etc. So, by training your dog, you not only have a dog that listens, you have a dog that is less likely to develop negative behaviors out of boredom.
6. Gives Your Dog A Job To Do
Most dogs were bred to do a specific job. So, in order to fulfill their desire to work, providing them with basic obedience training can be a good way to give them a job. Doing obedience training provides an opportunity for your dog to think. Mental stimulation is a great way to drain some of their energy, it’s just as important as providing them with physical exercise.
It’s important to remember to always keep your training sessions fun for your dog. Incorporating games in to your training sessions will make them fun for both you and your dog. By keeping things fun it will increase your dog’s desire to learn and work for you.
