When training a service dog, the complexity of commands can become a point of discussion. While some organizations boast of teaching dogs over 90 commands, a closer look reveals that many of these commands are redundant or lack practical meaning from the dog’s perspective. For instance, separate commands for opening and closing a door are unnecessary; the dog perceives the action as a single task of pulling a string. Similarly, a single command like “Kennel” can effectively cover various scenarios such as entering a crate, a kennel run, or a designated space, rather than requiring distinct commands for each.
The key principle is to simplify and avoid an excessive number of commands that can confuse both the dog and the handler. Overcomplicating the training process with a lengthy glossary of terms is unnecessary for a successful obedience dog.
Essential Commands for Your Obedience Dog
A well-trained dog needs a clear set of commands that indicate desired positions and actions. For positions, commands such as “Sit,” “Down,” “Stand,” “Front” (move in front and sit), and “Heel” (move to the side and sit) are fundamental. The command “OK” serves as a release, signaling the end of an exercise.
For actions, essential commands include “Come” (stop and approach), “Let’s Go” (walk nearby in a casual manner), “Heel” (walk attentively in heel position), “Back up,” and “Around” (finish by circling to the right). Commands like “Stay” and “Wait” are often considered unnecessary, as a dog trained to hold a position should maintain it until given a new command. Similarly, the command “Heel” can effectively serve both as a designation for the position next to the handler and the action of maintaining that position while walking, as dogs are situational and can differentiate based on context.
Useful Cues and Open Commands
Cues, which signal an upcoming command, can also be beneficial. “Hurry” and “Easy” can help a dog adjust their pace. While some use “Ready” as a cue before an exercise, it’s more effective to assess the dog’s attentiveness and then issue a firm command like “SIT!” if they are not ready, ensuring their focus before starting.
In advanced training, commands like “Drop on Recall” and “Fetch” are crucial. For “Drop on Recall,” dogs can be trained to drop in a sphinx position when in front of the handler and roll to their side when beside them, utilizing their situational understanding. The “Fetch” command implies holding the object, making a separate “Hold” command often unnecessary. For retrieves over obstacles like a high jump, the initial “Jump” command initiates the sequence, and the dog performs the subsequent actions. For broad jumps, the “Jump” command is also sufficient.
Utility Commands and Cues
Utility training introduces new exercises with minimal new commands. Nonverbal cues can be used for body movements the dog already knows. For scent articles, while a different command like “Search” or “Find it” can be used if “Fetch” causes anxiety, dogs can learn to differentiate between promptly retrieving a single object and carefully scenting a pile of articles.
Cues can also enhance motivation and preparation. A cue like “Mark” can signal the upcoming article exercise and draw the dog’s attention to the article pile. Similarly, “Look” can be used before directed jumping to prompt the dog to find the target location. Fun cues, such as “Ready to fetch?” or “Want to jump?”, can also be effective motivators.
Key Training Principles
When encountering training challenges, it’s important to avoid the misconception that new commands are always the solution. Often, performance issues stem from other factors rather than the command itself. Similarly, when exploring different dog sports like agility or fieldwork, it’s best to stick to a consistent set of commands rather than introducing new ones that might lead to confusion.
Adopting a concise list of commands simplifies training and recall under pressure. Teaching a dog a shorter, versatile set of commands that can be applied to similar situations is far more effective than memorizing numerous commands for every conceivable scenario. Simplifying your command list can lead to a more efficient and enjoyable training experience for both you and your dog.
