Dog Training: The 4 Basic Commands

You Have To Be In Control

If you have a small child who is just about learning to speak and understand a few simple words, you don't try to teach him, or her, Quantum Physics or Differential Calculus. You want them to understand "Yes" and "No" and "Mom" and "Dad". It's just the same when you start training your new dog (or even an older dog if his training so far has been non-existent).

It sounds obvious, in fact it is obvious, but you have to have some control of your dog if you are to have any success in training him to be a valued member of your family. There are Four words that he must learn and understand. 

1)  NO!  It may appear that we are starting off with a negative approach, right from the outset but much of what your untrained dog will do will be undesirable, so the quicker he learns the meaning of "NO", the better for him and you. (Apologies to all the lady dogs, for using the masculine term, but I think it is better than calling the dog "it").

This certainly does not mean that you have to impose a reign of terror on your new friend, with shouting or scolding. Only when he has stopped the unwanted behavior, reward him with a kind word, a pat or a fondle and the occasional treat.

Note. When first trying to teach these basic commands, it is best to have the dog or puppy on a leash, so that he is not free to roam off and ignore you, while he investigates something more interesting. During this initial training, which should be in short spells of 15 to twenty minutes, try to ensure that distractions are kept to a minimum, so he can concentrate all his attention on the trainer. 

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If you have watched Cesar Milan on television, you may have noticed one of his tricks to regain the dog's attention, if it becomes distracted. As soon as the dog focusses on something else, Cesar will make a short, sharp sound and give him a quick nudge with his hand, while pulling the dog's head back to him. If the dog is on a leash, close to Cesar's left leg, he will pass his right leg behind the left and nudge the dog on his rump, wth his right heel.

2)  Come.  When your dog is off the leash, whether indoors or out, your only contact with him is your voice and body language. In the early stages of your dog's training, you can only regain control once you can touch him. There is a full page on this subject at  Come when called so we won't go into too much detail here. Suffice it to say, when he does come, praise him and give him a reward. Don't let him associate coming to you with a negative or unpleasant result.

3)  Sit.  Sitting comes naturally to a dog, so this is an easy command for him to learn. It is also a very valuable skill, because he is then more focussed on you and therefore more under control. It is also the quickest way to stop unruly or excitable behavior. With the dog on a short leash and stood by your left leg, say "SIT" and pull the leash up and back, at the same time pushing firmly down on his rump with your free hand. Praise and reward him when he does it properly. 

In a very short time, you won't need to push him down, you'll just need a gentle tug on the leash.

4)  Stay.  This is a more difficult command to teach, especially if your dog is responding well to your training. He will be keen to come to you, for praise and rewards and making him stay away from you will be the opposite of all he has learned so far. Here is an important point: When he obeys the Stay command, walk to him and reward him (with praise or a treat) while he is still in that position. Do not call him and then reward him because he will associate the reward with "Come" and not "Stay".

Once you and your dog have mastered these four simple commands, you will be well on the way to having the dog of your dreams! Incidentally, you will already have established yourself as the Alpha Dog.