Beyond Sit: Essential Commands for Your New Canine Compadre

 

Maybe you grew up with outdoor dogs who served as protectors, but now you're bringing home a furry friend to join your family. This is a whole new adventure, and while those snuggles are adorable, training is key to building a strong bond with your perrhijo. Don't worry if the internet bombards you with cute videos (The ones with the not-so-sneaky sneak attacks? Love them.) but leaves you clueless – this guide provides the essential commands to get you started!

Ready to celebrate your win? Add a fun new bandana from First Gen Dogs to your pup's closet and take a stroll in style. 

Building Communication: Attention-Grabbing Commands

• "Look" or "Watch Me": This is the golden ticket to all training! Teach your dog to focus on you by saying the command and rewarding them with a treat or praise when they make eye contact. This builds the foundation for further instruction.
• "Name": Your dog's name should be the sweetest sound in the world to them! Use their name frequently throughout the day, especially during positive interactions and playtime.

Basic Obedience Commands:

• "Sit": This is a fundamental command for every dog. Hold a treat above your dog's nose and slowly move it back over their head, encouraging them to look up. Naturally, their rear end will follow, and as they sit, reward them with the treat and praise.
• "Stay": Once your dog has mastered "sit," introduce "stay." Ask them to sit, hold your hand out with an open palm (the "stop" signal), and take a small step back. If they remain seated, reward them with a treat and praise. Gradually increase the distance and duration of the stay as your dog progresses.
• "Come": Recall is crucial for your dog's safety and allows for off-leash adventures in the future. Start by having your dog on a leash in a quiet area. Say their name excitedly and hold a treat up in the air, then run backward a few steps. When your dog approaches you, reward them with the treat and praise.

Potty Training Essentials:

• "Go Potty" or "Outside": Establish a consistent phrase for bathroom breaks. Take your dog outside frequently, especially after meals, playtime, or waking up. When they eliminate in the designated spot, shower them with praise and a reward. Accidents happen, so stay patient and consistent.

Polite Pups:

• "Leave It" or "Drop It": This command discourages your dog from picking up unwanted objects. Hold a treat in your closed hand and let your dog sniff it. As they try to take the treat, say "leave it" and open your hand only when they look away. Reward them with the treat when they disengage. Practice with different objects to solidify the command.
• "Heel": Teach your dog to walk beside you on a loose leash. Start by having your dog on their leash on your left side. Hold treats near your leg, luring your dog into position. When they walk beside you, reward them with a treat. Gradually phase out the treats as your dog understands the command.

Keeping it Fun and Positive:

Training should be a fun and positive experience for both you and your dog. Short, frequent training sessions (5-10 minutes) are more effective than long, drawn-out ones. Use high-value treats that motivate your dog (I like to use mango pieces, jerky, or his fave snack of the moment) and lots of praise and encouragement. Be patient, consistent, and celebrate even small victories.

The Whole Family Needs to be Involved

Training your dog is a team effort! It's important that everyone in the house participates and uses the same commands and training techniques. That's right, everyone from the kids to the abuelitos. This will help your dog learn faster and avoid confusion. Here are some tips for getting everyone on board:

• Family Meeting: Hold a family meeting to discuss the training plan and ensure everyone understands the commands and expectations.
• Take Turns: Assign training sessions to different family members throughout the week. This will help keep training sessions fresh and engaging for both the dog and the trainer.

Bonus Tip: Clicker training can be a fantastic tool to mark the exact moment your dog performs the desired behavior. Click the clicker just before you reward them with a treat, creating a clear association between the action and the reward.