As a seasoned dog trainer, I’ve learned that clarity and simplicity are key, especially when it comes to teaching our canine companions. Many training organizations boast extensive command lists, sometimes exceeding 90 different directives. However, upon closer examination, these lists often include numerous redundant commands or those with little practical meaning for the dog. For instance, distinguishing between commands for opening and closing a door is unnecessary; for the dog, the action is the same – pulling a door. Similarly, I use a single command, “Kennel,” to encompass entering a crate, a kennel run, or even a specific area in the house. This approach streamlines the learning process for the dog, allowing them to generalize actions across various contexts. For those looking to simplify their training, understanding the core commands and how they can be applied situationally is paramount. Explore easiest commands to teach a dog to build a strong foundation.
Simplifying Your Dog’s Command Repertoire
The common practice among obedience enthusiasts is to utilize far too many commands. The sport itself isn’t so complex that it necessitates a lengthy glossary of terms for both the handler and the dog to memorize.
Essential Novice Commands
Your dog needs to learn commands that clearly indicate the desired position. These foundational commands include:
- Sit: Assume a seated position.
- Down: Assume a lying-down position.
- Stand: Assume a standing position.
- Front: Move in front of me and sit.
- Heel: Move to my side and sit. This command can also signify a swing finish. For an around finish, a different command may be required.
- OK: A release command signifying the end of the exercise.
In addition to positional commands, your dog needs to understand action-oriented directives:
- Come: Stop current activity and approach me.
- Let’s Go: Walk near me in a casual manner, not necessarily in heel position.
- Heel: Walk attentively next to my left side.
- Back Up: A useful command for teaching the heel position.
- Around: A command to finish by circling to my right.
You might be thinking about “Stay” and “Wait.” These commands are often unnecessary. Once a dog is directed into a position (like a sit), they should maintain that position until given a new command. While “stay” is permitted in obedience regulations and often used out of habit, it’s not essential after the initial position command has been given.
The use of the word “heel” often sparks debate. It serves a dual purpose: defining the position next to me and indicating the action of maintaining that position while walking. When I say “heel,” the dog should move to my side and sit. It’s not my responsibility to dictate the exact movement to reach that position, thus eliminating the need for numerous “get” commands (e.g., “Get in,” “Get back”). The dog learns to position itself, and I ensure it doesn’t circle behind me. The same word, “heel,” is used for both the position and the action because dogs are situational learners. They understand the context – whether I am standing or moving – to interpret the command correctly.
Helpful Cues and Open Commands
Cues provide a dog with advance notice of an upcoming action rather than a direct command. Helpful cues include:
- Hurry: Encourages the dog to increase pace.
- Easy: Prompts the dog to slow down.
Many handlers use “Ready” as a cue to signal the start of an exercise. However, this can be problematic if the dog isn’t attentive. A more effective approach is to assess the dog’s readiness. If attentive, nod or say “I am.” If not, a firm “SIT!” command can regain the dog’s focus before indicating readiness to the judge. This approach is further detailed when discussing simple commands to teach your dog.
Drop on Recall
If your dog understands “come” and “down,” no additional command is needed for dropping. In novice training, “down” typically means lying on the side. For a “drop on recall,” the desired position is sphinx-like. Dogs are adept at differentiating situations; they can learn to adopt a sphinx-like drop when in front of you and lie on their side when beside you.
Retrieve on Flat
- Fetch: Pick up the object.
- Drop: Release the object into my hand.
A separate “hold” command is generally not needed, as “fetch” implies holding. This command can be reserved for dogs with mouthing issues who need to learn proper grip. Understanding these commands can help in learning to train dog to sit and stay.
Retrieve Over High Jump
- Jump: Initiates the sequence of actions. While all steps might be taught individually, the primary command signals the beginning of the retrieve sequence over the jump.
Broad Jump
The command “Jump” is sufficient for this exercise.
Utility Commands: Expanding the Repertoire
Introducing five new exercises typically requires only two new commands and two cues.
Signals
Dogs learn to respond to non-verbal cues for movements they already understand through verbal commands. This does not necessitate extending the verbal command list.
Scent Articles
Traditionally, a distinct command is used for scent articles compared to a standard retrieve. The rationale is that “fetch” implies speed and efficiency, while scenting requires a more deliberate approach. Dogs can discern the context; a pile of articles requires a slower, more thorough search than a single object. If a dog appears anxious with “Fetch,” alternative command words like “Search” or “Find it” can be used. This is akin to teaching your dog new skills, as covered in teach my dog a new trick.
Gloves
No additional commands are needed. “Fetch” instructs the dog to retrieve, and a directional signal indicates the specific glove.
Moving Stand
The dog already knows verbal and signal commands for “stand.” They can transition into a 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. They already understand “sit” and “jump.”
Open & Utility Cues
A cue such as “mark” can be used before the article exercise to draw the dog’s attention to the article pile as it’s being set. Similarly, a cue like “look” before directed jumping prompts the dog to scan for the target location. These cues can also be used before the judge asks, “Are you ready?”
Using fun cues for beloved exercises, like asking an obedience dog if they are “Ready to fetch?” or “Want to jump?” can significantly boost enthusiasm and motivation. These cues, along with effective hand signals to train your dog, enhance the training experience.
Key Training Insights
- Avoid Command Changes for Training Problems: If your dog struggles, resist the urge to change commands. Performance issues are rarely due to the command itself.
- Consistency Across Venues: When exploring different dog sports like agility or fieldwork, stick to consistent commands. For instance, use “come” universally instead of switching to “here” for field training. One command meaning “come to me” should suffice across all activities.
A concise command list offers numerous advantages. Commands are easier to recall under pressure in the ring. More importantly, it’s simpler for your dog to learn a shorter set of commands that can be applied to various situations, rather than memorizing a multitude of specific instructions for every conceivable scenario. This approach ultimately fosters a stronger, clearer communication channel between you and your canine partner.
Consider simplifying your dog’s command list to enhance understanding and improve training effectiveness.
