Starting to use Dog Training Commands it’s not that difficult but first you must ensure that you are the dominant alpha male in your ‘pack’– and that your dog acknowledges this. Without you taking the role of ‘boss’ and your dog knowing it, dog training commands can become an uphill struggle.
Whether training a puppy or an older dog the single most important thing is to establish your dominant Alpha male status within your home. Once you have achieved this then teaching dog training commands becomes so much easier.
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Dog Training Commands – Being the Alpha Dog in Your Home
The number one thing that you must do to reduce the impact of bad behaviour, ensure your dog listens to you, and that he doesn’t embarrass you in front of friends and family, is to establish yourself in the role of pack leader.
However, for many this can be a tough task as you need to have a firm hand making sure that your dog knows who is in charge and obeys your dog training commands at ALL times. So, if you are just a big softie at heart like me or just don’t know where to begin, here are some simple tips.
Praise Correctly
Yes, there are right ways and wrong ways to give your dog praise. When your dog has responded correctly to dog training commands the correct way to praise him is to put your hands firmly on your dog and hugging him. Put your hands on him firmly, hold them there and don’t be skimpy with your praise.
Whenever you touch your dog you should do so firmly to ensure that he knows you’re in charge. You should never hit or punish your dog. Also, don’t drag out the praise too long. Give your dog praise, be warm and firm and then leave him be.
Reprimanding Properly
When your dog does something wrong or does not respond correctly to dog training commands don’t hit him or yell at him endlessly. This becomes very confusing for your dog and it can create fear issues that may led to even more aggression.
Use calm and assertive gestures to correct your dogs behaviour. You can take the leash or collar to adjust it, but don’t pull or yell as you do it. Be decisive and hold your authority. Show your dog that you are in charge of their movements and that they should heed your dog training commands. This always works extremely well.
Give Dog Training Commands that are Enforceable
If your dog is far away from you, then it would be difficult to stop him from doing as he pleases. Only use dog training commands that you can enforce as the Alpha Male.
Once you have been accepted as the Alpha male this is much easier to achieve. But you will still need to be at hand to adjust the behaviour of your dog should he decide for some reason not to listen to your dog training commands.
Boundaries and Permissions
Much like your children, a dog needs to be given boundaries of where they can go and when. Begin by making the sofa off limits, then make the kitchen off limits. Be sure that your dog is not allowed to change his behaviour whenever he wants.
The golden rule here is that your dog should always seek your permission to do these things. If you want him to stay on the floor, it doesn’t mean he is never to be allowed on the sofa – just that he has to have permission to do so.
Long Sit-Stays
One of the first dog training commands your your dog will learn should be “sit-stay”. This is a dominant command so if your dog is very dominant or aggressive you will need to make them lay down and stay. The longer you hold your dog in this still position, the greater the assertion of your Alpha male role.
Consistency and Calmness
It is sometimes said that dog owners look like their dogs. Even if that isn’t true in your case your dog will still mirror your personality. If you get angry easily and you are not consistent with your dog training commands, your dog will follow your lead and also become unpredictable. Don’t forget that just like a child, you are his role model.
Be consistent with your dog training commands and the way you follow through with them.Your dog will then respect you and want to please you. He will happily respond and do what you require of him, accepting your role as the Alpha male and leader of the pack.
Common Dog Commands:
Imagine what it would be like if you were to go on a walk with your dog. Your dog listens to your every command. When you say, “Stay” your dog stays. When you say, “Heal” your dog heals. Imagine your friends patting you on the back for the wonderful job you’ve done training your dog.
- Good dog
- Yes
- No
- Sit
- Down
- Stay / Stop
- Wait
- Here / Come
- Heel
- Stand
- Go
- Fetch
- Let loose / Give
- Shake hands
- Give
- Okay
- Find
- Speak
- Leave it
Your dog is very smart and very adaptable. This is how they survive in the wild. You must spend time to teach your dog to respect and follow your dog training commands at all times otherwise he will soon begin to see himself as the Alpha. So it’s essential that your dog knows the pecking order and that this is consistently enforced. Your dog will soon begin behaving better than you ever expected possible.
