BASIC COMMANDS FOR YOUR DOG

Imagine this scenario. You’re unloading your family at the park for a fun evening of swinging, sliding, and walking about the playground. You can already hear children’s giggles fill the air and picture your puppy leashed at your side, calmly taking in what’s going on around him.

 Just as you’re taking the last little babe from his car seat and helping him into the stroller, your dreams of a family-friendly evening are dashed by the flit of something out of the corner of your eye.

 A squirrel.

 Just as you reach for the leash that you left resting alongside the stroller (for only a second, seriously!), your pup races off.

 “Stop!” you yell.

 “No! No! No!” you scream.

 “Get back here!” you plead.

 “Heel! Stay! Sit! Lie down!” your commands echo through the park as you push the baby in the stroller and drag the toddler by the arm while chasing that sweet little puppy around the corner.

 Sound familiar?

 Scenes like this play out in communities everywhere as owners and their dogs struggle to communicate with one another.

 But a visit to the park doesn’t have to end in frustration or an unexpected jog around the block… if you and your four-legged friend have received proper training and tools.

 It all starts with basic commands and teaching your pet how he or she should behave upon hearing each word or phrase.

 At Stone Hollow, we start with four basic commands that you can incorporate into your own training with your dog.

 1.     Sit: as basic as it gets. Make sure you have your pup’s attention, and his eyes are on you. Stand tall directly in front of your pet, and in a firm voice say “sit” as you take a step towards him. When he sits, give two pats on the head and say “good boy” in an encouraging, light tone for positive reinforcement.

2.     Good girl/boy: to reward your dog for appropriate behaviors or responses, use the phrase “good boy” or “good girl” along with two pats to the head or neck. This touch lets your friend know that he or she behaved appropriately. Be sure not to show excessive affection which may confuse your pet into thinking it’s playtime.

3.     Stay/release: The “stay” cue tells your dog to remain in one place until he/she receives another verbal cue: the “release” command. First choose which word you will use as your “release” command; “ok,” “go,” or “free,” are all common options. Then you are ready to begin the training. Start in the “sit” position. Then, take a step backward as you say your release command word. Tell your pup “good boy/girl.” Then walk the dog back to the sit position and say “stay” while you stand in place for one second. Then, as you take a step back, use the release command. As you practice and work with your dog, stretch out the time you make your pet stay in the “sit” position to reinforce the use of the release command.

4.     Place: Much like a human, your dog will have spaces and places in the home where she is most comfortable and can relax. This can be a spot on the couch, a corner of the room, or a dog bed, to name a few. Pick 2 areas for your dog and start training her to go there by using the “place” command. Much like the “stay/release” training, this procedure involves you saying the word “place” while your pup is in that spot. Using “place” tells the dog to go to her special spot and remain there until you use the “release” command. The more consistent you are with using this term in front of your pet, the quicker your dog will retain this command.

 Training your dog with these basic commands will have him behaving in appropriate ways and listening to you, his master. Training these commands takes time and patience, but the result is a relationship with your pet that allows you to communicate and understand one another’s needs.

 If you want help training your dog, make sure to give Stone Hollow a call. We develop a unique training program for each dog and owner who walk through our doors. Call Tory at 563-852-3219 to set up your consultation today!