Training a dog involves a rich vocabulary of commands, but how many are truly necessary? While some organizations boast of teaching dogs over 90 commands, a closer look reveals many are redundant or lack practical meaning for the dog. This approach can overcomplicate training for both the handler and the canine. The key is to establish a clear, concise set of commands that your dog can easily understand and apply across various situations.
The Power of Simplicity in Dog Training
The notion of needing a vast glossary of terms for dog training is often unnecessary. For instance, the command “Kennel” can effectively cover getting into a crate, a kennel run, a van, or even a specific room like the kitchen. To the dog, these are all variations of the same action: entering a designated space. By using a single, versatile command, we simplify the learning process and avoid confusion. This principle applies broadly to obedience training, where a streamlined command list leads to better comprehension and performance.
Essential Commands for Novice Obedience
A dog’s core obedience needs can be met with a focused set of commands related to position and action.
Positional Commands:
- Sit: Assume a seated position.
- Down: Lie down.
- Stand: Stand up.
- Front: Move into a position in front of the handler and sit.
- Heel: Move to the handler’s side and sit, or walk attentively in heel position. This command can also be used for a swing finish.
- OK: A release command signifying the end of an exercise.
Action Commands:
- Come: Stop current activity and return to the handler.
- Let’s Go: Walk near the handler in a casual manner.
- Heel: Walk attentively next to the handler’s left side.
- Back up: Move backward, a useful skill for establishing heel position.
- Around: Circle to the handler’s right.
Commands like “Stay” and “Wait” are often considered unnecessary. Once a dog is instructed to assume a position (like “Sit”), they should remain in that position until given a new command. The obedience regulations may allow for “stay” commands, but they are often used out of habit rather than necessity.
The word “Heel” is particularly versatile. It signifies both the position next to the handler and the action of maintaining that position while walking. Dogs are situational learners and can differentiate the meaning based on whether the handler is standing or moving. Eliminating redundant “get” commands (e.g., “Get in,” “Get back”) and allowing the dog to figure out how to achieve the position simplifies the process.
Useful Cues for Enhanced Communication
Cues, distinct from commands, signal what’s about to happen, helping the dog prepare. Helpful cues include:
- Hurry: Encourages the dog to increase pace.
- Easy: Encourages the dog to slow down.
Using a cue like “Ready” before an exercise can help, but it’s more effective to have a backup plan if the dog isn’t attentive. Instead of relying on a potentially failed “Ready” cue, a firm “SIT!” command can regain the dog’s focus before indicating readiness to the judge. This approach ensures better control and avoids potential penalties.
Simplifying Advanced Commands
Even as training progresses to more complex exercises, the need for new commands remains minimal.
Open Commands:
- Drop on Recall: Dogs already understand “come” and “down.” The “drop” command can be taught to elicit a sphinx position when in front of the handler, distinct from the side-lying “down” command.
- Retrieve on Flat:
- Fetch: Pick up an object.
- Drop: Release the object into the handler’s hand. The “Hold” command is often implied by “Fetch” and may only be necessary for dogs with mouthing issues.
- Retrieve over High Jump:
- Jump: Initiates the action sequence. While a full sequence might be taught initially (jump, fetch, come, jump, front), the single “Jump” command initiates the overall task.
- Broad Jump: The “Jump” command suffices for this exercise.
Utility Commands:
- Signals: Dogs learn to respond to non-verbal cues for actions they already perform with verbal commands, without adding to the verbal command list.
- Scent Articles: While a different command like “Search” or “Find it” can be used if “Fetch” causes anxiety, dogs can understand the context. “Fetch” can imply a prompt retrieval of a single object, while a slower approach is understood when presented with a pile of articles.
- Gloves: “Fetch” combined with a directional signal is sufficient. No unique command is needed for each glove.
- Moving Stand: The dog already knows verbal and non-verbal cues to stand. Commands like “Heel” or “Around” can direct their movement after standing.
- Directed Jumping: The “Go-out” command directs the dog away from the handler, who then uses “Sit” and “Jump” commands.
Cues for Open and Utility Exercises
Cues can enhance motivation and focus during advanced training. A cue like “mark” can alert the dog that the article exercise is imminent and indicate the location of the article pile. Similarly, “look” can cue the dog to scan for the “go-out” location during directed jumping. Fun, motivating cues like “Ready to fetch?” or “Want to jump?” can further engage the dog. basic commands all dogs should know
Key Training Takeaways
When encountering training challenges, resist the urge to change commands. Performance issues are rarely due to the command itself. Similarly, when exploring different dog sports, avoid adding or altering commands unnecessarily. For instance, use a single “come” command that works across disciplines, rather than adopting separate words like “here” for field work and “come” for obedience.
A concise command list offers significant advantages: it’s easier to remember under pressure and simpler for the dog to learn. By focusing on versatile commands applicable to various situations, you build a stronger foundation for effective and enjoyable training. 7 essential commands your dog should know
