Commands play a key role in dog obedience training. Using rewards, such as treats, and praising your dog when it understands specific commands creates a positive relationship.
Here are the top 10 commands your dog should know for improved behavior:
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1. “Look” may not seem like the first command your dog needs to learn. But when you make your dog look at you, he focuses on what you have to say despite any other distractions.
2. “Watch me” keeps your dog further focused. Once he learns this phrase with the help of a treat while teaching him, he will listen to your other commands or follow your leads.
3. “Sit” is a common command and one of the first puppies often learn. Teaching him to sit controls the dog when in crowded situations until you want to lead him on.
4. “Stay” adds security to the sit command. It keeps the dog from moving around and out of traffic. This command allows you to focus on other things temporarily with a well-trained dog.
5. “Heel” is an important command to keep your dog by your side. This is especially helpful when moving through large crowds, and it also works at times when your dog is off leash.
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6. “Lie down” is a command that helps to calm the dog down in busy situations. When he receives this command, it keeps him from jumping up, bothering people or performing other unwanted behaviors. The lie-down command also helps him to learn tricks, such as rolling over.
7. “Come” avoids frustrations when you need your dog near you. A dog that learns this command stays safe if he is somewhere in public he is not supposed to be or he temporarily escapes from his leash.
8. “Leave it” is also a protective command. It could prevent your dog from chewing on or eating something dangerous. It works when you realize the dog is headed toward a potentially hazardous situation.
9. “Drop it” comes in handy when your dog gets something in his mouth before you had a chance to stop him. Some dogs refuse to listen when they find something they think is delicious, but could cause them stomach problems. The term “drop it” avoids danger later on when you reward him with safe treats through dog obedience training.
10. “Wait” helps keep the dog out of future trouble by dodging out the door or out of the car too early. It gives you time to prepare his leash as you step out of the car first.
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