You might find yourself at a party in a German-speaking country, and like many of us, you gravitate towards the furry companions. Learning to communicate with dogs in German can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially since many popular dog breeds have German origins. Whether for practical training or just for amusement, mastering some German dog commands can enhance your connection with these beloved animals.
German commands can sound authoritative, which may contribute to their effectiveness in training. This guide provides a comprehensive list of German dog commands, ranging from basic necessities to more creative and specialized instructions.
Basic German Dog Commands
Essential commands focus on safety and obedience, ensuring your dog responds reliably in various situations. These foundational commands are crucial for managing your dog’s behavior and preventing potentially dangerous incidents.
Here is a table of fundamental German dog commands:
| English | German | IPA | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sit | Sitz | [zɪts] | Instructs the dog to lower its hindquarters onto the ground, maintaining a seated position. |
| Stay | Bleib | [blaɪ̯p] | Tells the dog to remain in its current location and position until given another command. |
| Good job | Bravo | [ˈbʁaːvoː] | Used to praise your pup, reinforcing correct behavior after they’ve followed another command. |
| Good dog | Braver Hund | [ˈbʁaːfɐ ˈhʊnt] | General praise, often guaranteed to elicit a happy tail wag. |
| Shake hands | Gib Pfote | [ɡɪp ˈpfɔːtə] | Asks your dog to raise a paw and place it in your hand, mimicking a handshake. |
| Drop, Drop it | Aus | [aʊ̯s] | Commands the dog to release whatever it’s currently holding in its mouth. |
| Heel | Bei Fuß | [baɪ̯ ˈfuːs] | The command for the dog to walk directly next to you, rather than in front or behind. |
| Come | Komm | [kɔm] | Calls your dog to return to you or to follow you. |
| Here | Hier | [hiːɐ] | Similar to “come,” directing the dog to come with you. |
| Go | Los | [loːs] | Gives your dog permission to move or run freely. |
| Down | Platz | [plats] | Tells your dog to lay down on the ground. |
| Stand | Steh | [ʃteː] | Asks your dog to rise to its feet from a sitting or lying position. |
| Roll over | Rolle | [ʁɔlə] | Tells your dog to lie down, roll over, and end up standing on the other side. |
| Fetch | Hol | [hoːl] | Tells your dog to go and get something that you have thrown or pointed at. |
| Fetch the stick | Hol Stöckchen | [hoːl ˈʃtœkçən] | A specific command for your dog to go and retrieve a thrown stick. |
| Speak | Gib Laut | [ɡɪp laʊ̯t] | Tells your dog to make noise, typically a single bark. |
| Jump | Hopp | [hɔp] | Tells your dog to leap over an obstacle or simply jump into the air. |
| Run | Lauf | [laʊ̯f] | Encourages your dog to stretch their legs and run freely. |
| No | Nein | [naɪ̯n] | A general command used to prevent any unwanted behavior. |
| Stop | Halt | [halt] | Used to command the dog to cease its current action immediately. |
| Slow | Langsam | [ˈlaŋzam] | Instructs your dog to reduce its speed. |
| Faster | Schneller | [ˈʃnɛlɐ] | Encourages your dog to increase its speed. |
| Straight ahead | Geradeaus | [ɡəˈʁaːtəˌʔaʊ̯s] | Directs your dog to continue moving forward without deviation. |
| Right | Rechts | [ʁɛçts] | Directs your dog to turn or move to the right. |
| Left | Links | [lɪŋks] | Directs your dog to turn or move to the left. |
| Wait | Warte | [ˈvaʁtə] | Lets your dog know you want them to wait for your next instruction. |
| Onwards | Vorwärts | [ˈfoːɐ̯vɛʁts] | Tells your dog to keep moving forward. |
Cute and Creative German Commands
Developing a unique set of commands for your pet can strengthen your bond. These playful commands add a special touch to your interactions and can be a source of amusement for both you and your dog.
Here are some charming and creative German commands:
| English | German | IPA | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give a little kiss | Gib Küsschen | [ɡɪp ˈkʏsçən] | To have your dog kiss your hand or face. |
| Dance | Tanz | [tants] | A cute way to ask your dog to stand on their hind legs. |
| Twirl | Dreh dich | [dʁeː dɪç] | Asks your dog to turn around, a fun dance move. |
| Swim | Schwimm | [ʃvɪm] | A helpful command for dogs near water bodies. |
| Crawl | Kriech | [kʁiːç] | Use this if you want your dog to crawl underneath an obstacle. |
| Hide | Versteck dich | [fɛɐ̯ˈʃtɛk dɪç] | Command for playing hide-and-seek with your dog. |
| Angel, angel, fly | Engelchen, Engelchen, flieg | [ˈɛŋəlçən ˈɛŋəlçən fliːk] | Similar to how parents lift children, this command can be used playfully with your dog. |
| Where’s your ball? | Wo ist dein Ball? | [voː ɪst daɪ̯n bal] | Playful command encouraging your dog to find their ball. |
| Where’s your tail? | Wo ist dein Schwanz? | [voː ɪst daɪ̯n [ʃvant͡s]] | Playful command encouraging your dog to chase its own tail. |
| Cuddle time | Kuschelzeit | [ˈkʊʃəlˌtsaɪ̯t] | Lets your dog know you are ready for cuddles. |
| Treat | Leckerli | [ˈlɛkɐli] | Your dog’s favorite word if used before offering a treat. |
| Pfui (Discouragement) | Pfui | [pfʊɪ̯] | Used to discourage them from rolling in dirt or investigating undesirable things. |
| Sniff | Schnüffel | [ˈʃnʏfəl] | Lets your dog know when a scent might be interesting, or reminds them to “smell the roses.” |
| Howl | Heule | [ˈhɔɪ̯lə] | Used to encourage your dog to make a howling sound. |
| Sleep | Schlaf | [ʃlaf] | May help restless dogs settle down or fall asleep. |
Police Dog Training Commands
For law enforcement, using German commands offers a strategic advantage, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to control police dogs. This is particularly useful in scenarios where a suspect might attempt to confuse the dog with commands in a more common language.
Important Note: Commands like “Fass” (attack) are reserved for highly specialized police training and should never be taught to pet dogs.
Here are some specialized commands used in police dog training:
| English | German | IPA | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guard | Wach; Pass auf | [vax; pas ʔaʊ̯f] | Commands the dog to protect a specific area or person. |
| Attack | Fass | [fas] | Reserved for police dogs only. Command to apprehend a suspect, typically by biting and holding on. |
| Retrieve | Bring | [bʁɪŋk] | Commands the police dog to pick up an item and bring it back to the handler, useful for evidence or search items. |
| Search | Such; Revier | [zʊχ; [ʁeˈviːɐ̯]] | Instructs a police dog to look for something specific (e.g., missing person, drugs, explosives) and signal its handler upon discovery. |
| Back | Platz; Zurück | [plats; tsuːˈʁʁʏk] | Instructs the dog to walk backward, often used in crowd control situations. |
| Quiet | Ruhig; Aus | [ˈʁuːɪ̯ç; ʔaʊ̯s] | Tells the dog to stop barking, crucial during covert operations. |
| Alert | Anzeigen | [ˈanˌʦaɪ̯ɡŋ̍] | Commands the dog to signal when it has found something. |
| Track | Fährte; Spur | [ˈfɛʁtə; ʃpuːɐ̯] | Signals the dog to follow a specific scent trail. |
The Famous German Shepherd: Kommissar Rex
The Austrian police comedy-drama series “Kommissar Rex” (Inspector Rex) features a highly intelligent German Shepherd police dog named Rex and his human partners. Rex’s ability to learn and respond to German commands was vital for the show’s success, showcasing the sophisticated training these dogs undergo. The original dog who played Rex, Santo von Haus Ziegelmeye, demonstrated remarkable skill in mastering his role.
Beyond Woofs: How Dogs Learn Language
Studies, such as one published in Science Magazine in 2004 about a Border Collie named Rico, have revealed the impressive linguistic capabilities of dogs. Rico could understand over 200 words, many related to toys, learning them through a process similar to human children’s “fast mapping.” This suggests that dogs can process language in ways comparable to human toddlers, explaining our natural inclination to speak to them in nurturing tones. Perhaps your dog can even surpass Rico’s impressive vocabulary!
For those interested in expanding their German vocabulary further, explore the German Language Blog for more words and phrases to teach your canine companion. You can also find resources on easy commands to teach your dog and explore a list of dog commands. If you’re interested in specific training challenges, consider training an older dog to come when called, or learning how to teach a puppy to come when called and train your puppy to come when called.
