Training a dog to perform a variety of tasks can be incredibly rewarding, whether for specialized service roles or general obedience. While some training organizations boast of teaching dogs upwards of 90 commands, a closer look often reveals that many of these are redundant or lack practical application. The key to effective dog training lies not in the sheer number of commands, but in clarity, consistency, and understanding how dogs learn.
The goal of training should be to equip your dog with a clear set of instructions that enable you to work together effectively. Overcomplicating this with an extensive list of commands can be counterproductive for both the handler and the dog. This approach prioritizes clear communication and a strong understanding of canine behavior, ensuring a more streamlined and successful training journey.
Essential Novice Commands for Your Dog
For a solid foundation in obedience, your dog needs to master commands that establish specific positions and direct actions. These core commands form the building blocks for more advanced training and ensure your dog understands basic cues.
Commands for Position:
- Sit: Assumes a sitting position.
- Down: Assumes a lying down position.
- Stand: Assumes a standing position.
- Front: Moves into position in front of you and sits.
- Heel: Moves to your side and sits. This command can also be used for a swing finish.
- OK: A release command indicating the dog is finished with the current task.
Commands for Action:
- Come: Stops current activity and returns to you.
- Let’s Go: Walks near you in a casual manner, not necessarily in heel position.
- Heel: Walks attentively next to your left side.
- Back up: A useful command for teaching the heel position.
- Around: Circles to your right as opposed to swinging into heel position.
It’s important to note that commands like “Stay” and “Wait” are often unnecessary. Once a dog is in a commanded position, such as a sit, they should remain there until given a new instruction. Similarly, the word “Heel” can serve a dual purpose: defining the position next to you and indicating the action of maintaining that position while walking. Dogs are situational learners and can distinguish the meaning based on context, whether you are standing or moving. This eliminates the need for numerous “get” commands like “Get in” or “Get back.”
Helpful Cues for Enhanced Communication
Beyond direct commands, incorporating a few well-chosen cues can significantly enhance communication with your dog. Cues act as signals, indicating what is about to happen, rather than dictating a specific action.
- Hurry: Used to help your dog understand how to increase their pace.
- Easy: Used to help your dog understand how to decrease their pace.
The use of a “Ready” cue can be problematic. If your dog isn’t attentive when you say “Ready,” you risk trouble. A more reliable approach is to assess your dog’s attentiveness and then give a firm command like “SIT!” to ensure they are ready before signaling to the judge.
Streamlining Advanced Commands
Even with more complex exercises, the number of new commands required can be minimal.
Drop on Recall
This maneuver requires no additional commands if your dog already understands “Come” and “Down.” While the “Down” command in novice training might result in the dog rolling onto its side, for a “drop on recall,” a sphinx-like position is desired. Dogs can differentiate this based on the situation; they will learn to drop into a sphinx position when in front of you and roll to their side when beside you.
Retrieve on Flat
- Fetch: Instructs the dog to pick up an object.
- Drop: Instructs the dog to release the object into your hand.
A separate “Hold” command is generally not needed, as “Fetch” implies holding. This command is best reserved for dogs experiencing mouthing issues.
Retrieve over High Jump
- Jump: Initiates the first action in a sequence of events. While you might initially use commands for each step (jump, fetch, come, jump, front), ultimately, the dog will respond to the initial “Jump” command to begin the chain of actions.
Broad Jump
The command “Jump” is sufficient for this exercise.
Utility Commands: Minimal Additions
The introduction of five new exercises in utility training typically requires only two new commands and two new cues.
Signals
Dogs can be trained to respond to non-verbal cues for body movements they already know through verbal commands. This does not necessitate adding new verbal commands to your list.
Scent Articles
Traditionally, a different command is used for scent articles than for a retrieve. The rationale is that “Fetch” implies prompt retrieval, and using it for articles might encourage the dog to retrieve quickly without sufficient scenting. However, dogs are situational. When faced with a pile of objects, they can learn to proceed slowly and scent thoroughly, whereas with a single object, they will retrieve promptly. If a dog shows anxiety with the command “Fetch,” alternative command words like “Search” or “Find it” can be used.
Gloves
No additional commands are necessary. “Fetch” instructs the dog to retrieve, and a directional cue indicates which glove to select.
Moving Stand
No new commands are required. The dog already understands verbal and signal cues to stand. They can then be directed into a heel position with the “Heel” command or circle behind with the “Around” command.
Directed Jumping
The “Go-out” command directs the dog to leave your side. They already know the commands to “Sit” and “Jump.”
Open & Utility Cues
- Mark: A cue used before the article exercise to signal the dog to pay attention to the article pile as it’s being set out. This cue alerts the dog that the article exercise is next and indicates the location of the pile.
- Look: Used before directed jumping, this cue prompts the dog to look out and locate the target for the “go-out” command.
Cues can also be used to generate enthusiasm for exercises your dog enjoys, such as asking an obedience dog if they are “Ready to fetch?” or “Want to jump?”
Two Additional Hints for Effective Training
- When encountering training difficulties, resist the urge to change commands. Performance issues are rarely caused by the command itself.
- When exploring other dog sports like agility or fieldwork, avoid adding or changing commands unless absolutely necessary. For instance, many retriever trainers use “here” instead of “come.” Both commands mean the same thing, and it’s more effective to establish one consistent command for coming to you, regardless of the sport.
A concise list of commands offers significant benefits. Commands are easier to remember under pressure in the ring, and dogs can more readily learn a shorter list of commands applicable to similar situations rather than an extensive vocabulary for every conceivable scenario.
Consider evaluating your current command list. Could it be simplified for greater clarity and effectiveness?
