You’ve got a new dog. Congratulations! Whether they’re a puppy or an adult, you’ll want to make sure your dog knows basic manners. While some people do like to teach their dogs fun tricks and games, we’re going to focus on the basics – sit, stay, place or lay down, come, leave it, and drop it. Maybe these aren’t the flashy commands, but they’re the essentials! The most important reason to teach these is safety. That’s safety for your dog, yourself, and anyone else around.
Sit: Sit is essentially the building block of all commands. By making sure your dog responds to sit, you can instantly prevent him from jumping or getting out of control. In fact, rather than saying “no” when it comes to behaviors like counter surfing or jumping on people, you can cue sit. “No” isn’t an action, so it’s hard for your dog to know what to do, but your dog can physically sit and prevent a negative behavior.
Stay: Just like sit, stay is an essential cue for helping to control your dog and keep him safe. How about coming in the house with an armload of groceries? You can tell your dog to “stay” so he won’t rush out the open door. Stay can take a little longer to master than sit, but it’s just as essential for a well-mannered friend, so make sure you’re using it correctly and rewarding often.
Place/down: This is a game changer for the jumpy dog. Many of us are familiar with those 10 minutes when our friends come over. Your dog jumps like a kangaroo, your guests feel awkward (and maybe afraid), and you’re yelling “no” repeatedly. Just imagine an alternative. You simply say “place,” and your dog stays in her designated spot. Often, this is their bed or another safe area. If you’re out and about with your dog, you can’t cue “place,” but “down” can have the same effect. Make sure your dog knows what’s required of the ask, such as his belly being fully on the ground. This may require lots of praise and treats but is invaluable in helping your dog settle.
Come: One of the most common fears of dog parents is their dog getting loose and not returning. This could happen if you accidentally lose grip of the leash, if your dog escapes from the house, or even if your dog is good off-leash but decides to chase a squirrel that came too close. When you’re first using “come,” make sure your dog is either in a fenced area or you have a hold of his leash. The most important thing is to ‘throw a party’ when he comes by giving lots of excitement, praise, and tasty treats. Even if he takes his time getting to you, throw that party. You never want to scold them when they come, even after a freedom run.
Leave it: Leave it is crucial in a few situations. First, maybe you’re taking a walk and passing by an overflowing trash can or your dog spies a half-eaten candy bar on the ground. Rather than wrestling your dog away from it, or it out of her mouth, cue “leave it.” She should walk right by. “Leave it” helps prevent things before they happen.
Drop it: Drop it is great when it’s too late for “leave it.” Maybe your dog comes proudly to you with a chipmunk in his mouth. It’s the perfect time to use “drop it.” This prevents you from physically trying to take something from your dog’s mouth and is great for resource guarders. Practice with less-desirable objects and reward with high-value treats.
The common thread is all of these basic commands create a positive action. When you simply tell your dog “no,” they’re not really sure what to do. But with a clear and well-learned command, they’ll be able to execute a positive behavior before a negative one occurs. Remember, repetition, patience, and tasty treats are key. The better mannered your dog is, the more fun he’ll be to have around. Also, don’t hesitate to enlist the help of an experienced trainer, preferably one who can teach you and your dog in your own environment. This is one of the best things you can do for your pup!