Once your new dog settles in to their adopted home, it might be time to try to teach them a few commands. Here are some tricks your pup will take to with a bit of practice and lots of encouragement.
These moves are broken down into easy-to-follow steps, perfect for both you and your pooch to learn at your leisure and have lots of fun during the process.
Before you begin
Here are a few pointers that will help your training exercises to be successful. First, you need to have a reward. Most dogs are very food motivated so be prepared with enough small morsels of something tasty that you can offer when they respond to your instruction. And, remember to heap on the verbal praise and affection when they follow your lead.
Secondly, find a quiet place to train them and choose a time of the day when they’re ready for a little play time, like after they’ve had a meal and blown off steam with some exercise.
Next, keep your commands as easy as possible for them to follow. This means using the same one or two words consistently each time you ask them to perform a particular trick. Finally, since practice makes perfect, be sure to repeat the exercises daily or every few days until you are sure they have retained them.
Sit
It’s a good idea to start with a basic command like “sit.” After your dog learns this move, you’ll both have a sense of accomplishment that will lay the groundwork for other tricks. Managing to sit on command is a necessary first step in learning to “stay” and “come.” Plus, when a canine knows to sit when directed, they are easier to control and will be calmer in various situations.
To teach this trick:
- Hold up a treat and stand close enough to your pup so they can smell it.
- Tell them to sit.
- Raise your hand so that your dog’s nose will follow the treat and their bottom will lower.
- Once your pooch is sitting, repeat the word “sit” and give them the treat.
- Go through this sequence a few more times to give them practice.
Stay
Staying on command is another skill that will make Snoopy or Stella easier to manage in general. There are many scenarios where a little canine self-control goes a long way. Imagine that you have visitors in your home or someone coming to repair an appliance. Your pup will feel less overwhelmed when they are able to follow your instructions and stay in place until you give them permission to move.
To teach this trick:
- Begin by telling your dog to sit.
- Using an open palm, extend your hand out and say “stay.”
- Move back a few steps.
- If your dog stays, reward them.
- Repeat the procedure a few more times, stepping back a little further each time.
- Be sure to give your dog a treat even if they stay for a few seconds.
- As your dog learns to sit for longer, you can delay offering the treat.
- After they take the treat, release them with a cue word like “okay.”
Come
Teaching your canine to come is critical before you engage in any off-leash activity with them. In addition, it can prevent them from running off if they accidently get loose or something interesting has caught their eye. Instilling in them the discipline to come to you when you call them should start indoors so you have sufficient control of the environment.
To teach this trick:
- Attach your dog’s leash to their collar.
- Meet your pup physically at his level, give the command “come,” and pull gently on the leash.
- When they come over to you, give them their reward.
- After your pooch has responded enough times, drop the leash and continue to practice.
- Be sure not to grab their collar when they reach you, just give them a little physical affection.
Lie down
Mastering the art of lying down when directed by their owner can be somewhat more difficult for a dog. That is because it involves adopting a submissive position. However, with lots of praise, patience and affection, this is another command your dog can learn, too.
To teach this trick:
- Hold one of their favorite treats in your fist.
- Let your dog smell the treat by holding your hand close to their nose.
- Put your hand close to the floor and watch your dog follow your action.
- Move your hand around on the ground, staying close to them until they start to move their body down.
- Once they’re lying down, reinforce the behavior with the word “down” and give them the treat.
In closing
Whether your pet is a fast learner or not, you’ll both feel a real sense of achievement when they learn these basic commands.