How Can I Teach My Dog Simple Commands

---

     When we purchase that beloved pet, we naturally want to teach them basic commands. This will usually be to fetch, sit, and come when called. Though some breeds are harder to train than others, all dogs have the capacity to learn these basic and essential commands. The training should start from puppy-hood, and the learning curve will be much more effective. However with patience, older dogs can learn as well, with consistent and gentle training. If the owner can afford to do so, it's best to have a professional trainer come out to assist the owner in the very beginning, but that's not always feasible. With that said there are numerous tutorials, books, and free online videos and articles that the owner can access.

One of the most popular commands is to teach your dog to play fetch. There is not a dog alive that doesn't love this fun game. It doesn't matter if they are a toy breed or a herding breed; this love is the same with all of them. It's just that some breeds are more apt to learn the game faster than other ones. What you need to do is start out with two identical toys. With the first one throw it out so the dog can go after it. Then throw out the second one, then say the command "fetch" and direct the dog back towards you. With repeated repetition, your dog will soon come to realize what this means, which will result in hours of fun and healthy activity later on.

Two essential commands are to "come" and to "heel". To teach a dog to come when its name is called is really quite easy. Using food as a tool, have your dog sit several feet from you, and then call their name. When they come, give them a treat as a reward. Eventually they will come when their name is called without the food as an enticement. The same thing goes when showing them how to walk by your side on a leash. Saying the command "heal", when your dog walks correctly with you, is wonderful and therefore, reward them with a treat. Soon they will come to associate this behavior with a treat, and the results will amaze you.

The treat reward system works no matter what command you want to teach your dog. This can range from teaching those tricks to agility exercises. Just be patient, gentle and positive, and never ever raise your voice. This will only scare your dog and make him want to hide. Using a soft and firm voice will always produce the best results. Moreover, remember that treating and praising is the best way to get your dog to obey and respond to the command. Your dog is food-motivated, which means he or she will do just about anything to get the treat from you. Make the commands simple and soon your dog will be able to "sit" "stay" "heel" and "come" by just saying the word.