Training a dog can feel like learning a new language, with handlers often facing an overwhelming number of commands. While some organizations boast of teaching dogs over 90 commands, a closer look reveals many are redundant or unnecessary. This can complicate training for both dog and owner. Simplifying your command list can lead to more effective and less confusing training sessions.
The Importance of a Concise Command List
The core of dog obedience training lies in clear communication. For dogs, understanding a command means associating a specific word or sound with a particular action or position. However, many training programs create an unnecessarily long list of commands that can be confusing. For instance, using separate commands for opening and closing a door is redundant, as the dog perceives the action of pulling a string to open or close the door as the same task. A more efficient approach is to use a single command, like “Kennel,” to encompass various situations such as entering a crate, a kennel run, a van, or even a designated room.
Essential Novice Commands
A dog’s foundational obedience training should focus on commands that clearly define desired positions and actions. These essential commands form the building blocks for more advanced training.
Positional Commands
These commands tell your dog what position to assume:
- Sit: Assume a seated position.
- Down: Lie down.
- Stand: Stand upright.
- Front: Move in front of the handler and sit.
- Heel: Move to the handler’s side and sit. This command can also be used for a swing finish, though a separate command might be needed for an around finish.
Action Commands
These commands direct your dog to perform a specific action:
- Come: Stop current activity and approach the handler.
- Let’s Go: Walk near the handler in a casual manner, not necessarily in a precise heel position.
- Heel: Walk attentively next to the handler’s left side.
- Back up: Move backward, a useful command for teaching correct heel position.
- Around: Complete a maneuver by circling to the right.
Commands like “Stay” and “Wait” are often considered unnecessary. Once a dog is in a commanded position, such as a sit, they should remain in that position until given a new command. While “stay” is often used out of habit, it is not fundamentally required for a dog to maintain a position after it has been given.
The command “Heel” serves a dual purpose: it indicates the desired position next to the handler and the action of maintaining that position while walking. Dogs are highly situational and can differentiate the meaning of “Heel” based on whether the handler is stationary or moving. This eliminates the need for numerous “get” commands (e.g., “Get in,” “Get back,” “Get up”) as the dog can figure out how to achieve the commanded position.
Helpful Cues
Cues are distinct from commands; they signal that an exercise is about to begin rather than directing an action. Useful cues can help a dog understand how to adjust their pace or prepare for an upcoming task.
- Hurry: Encourages the dog to increase pace.
- Easy: Prompts the dog to slow down.
The common cue “Ready” can be problematic. If a dog isn’t ready when the handler says “Ready,” it can lead to trouble, especially in competition. A more effective approach is to observe the dog’s attentiveness. If the dog is ready, nod or confirm. If not, a firm “Sit” command can regain the dog’s focus before indicating readiness.
Advanced Commands for Specific Tasks
As training progresses, certain exercises require specific commands or cues to ensure clarity and efficiency.
Open Commands
- Drop on Recall: A dog that knows “Come” and “Down” can be trained to “drop” in a sphinx position when called. Dogs can discern that a “drop” command in front of the handler differs from a “down” command at the handler’s side.
- Retrieve on Flat:
- Fetch: Pick up the 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: The primary command is Jump, initiating the sequence of actions (jump, fetch, come, jump, front). While all actions might be cued during initial training, the “Jump” command starts the chain.
- Broad Jump: The “Jump” command suffices for this exercise.
Utility Commands
Utility training introduces new challenges, often requiring only a few additional commands or cues.
- Signals: Dogs learn to respond to nonverbal cues for body movements they already understand through verbal commands, without increasing the verbal command list.
- Scent Articles: While traditionally a different command is used for retrieving articles than for a standard retrieve, dogs can be taught to differentiate. A dog can understand to search slowly when faced with a pile of articles versus retrieving a single object promptly. If a dog shows anxiety with the “Fetch” command in this context, alternative words like “Search” or “Find it” can be used.
- Gloves: The “Fetch” command is sufficient, with directional signals indicating which glove to retrieve.
- Moving Stand: Dogs already know verbal and nonverbal cues to stand. They can then transition into heel position with the “Heel” command or circle behind with the “Around” command.
- Directed Jumping: The “Go-out” command directs the dog away from the handler, utilizing existing “Sit” and “Jump” commands.
Open and Utility Cues
Cues can enhance performance in advanced exercises:
- Mark: Used before the article exercise, this cue alerts the dog to the upcoming task and the location of the article pile.
- Look: Employed before directed jumping, this cue prompts the dog to scan and locate the “go-out” position.
- Motivational cues like “Ready to fetch?” or “Want to jump?” can add enthusiasm and motivation during training.
Key Training Principles
When encountering training challenges, it’s crucial to avoid the temptation to simply add new commands. Performance issues are rarely caused by the command itself. Similarly, when exploring different dog sports, such as agility or fieldwork, resist the urge to change or add commands unless absolutely necessary. For instance, while some retriever trainers use “here” instead of “come,” a single, consistent command meaning “come to me” can be used across different sports.
A concise command list offers significant advantages. Commands are easier to recall under pressure in the ring, and dogs can more readily learn a shorter list of commands applicable to various situations. This approach fosters better understanding and a stronger handler-dog communication system.
How long is your dog’s command list? Could it be simplified for clearer, more effective training?
