No wonder having a dog in your life is a blessing and can add so much love and life to your existence. While a dog does so much by just existing, having an ill-mannered dog can be quite challenging. This is especially true when you live in a society where you and your dog are expected to be civil and social. Whether when you have guests in the house, when you take your dog out for walks, or anywhere else. Teaching your puppy the right obedience commands and the correct mannerism is something that you should start early on so that it can grow with them.
There is an abundance of resources and tools available for you to explore online when it comes to training your dog and teaching the proper command. However, doing it yourself can be time-consuming and challenging if you don’t know the right procedure and techniques. This is where professional dog trainers come into the picture. If you are hoping to hire a reliable professional for board and train in Boise Idaho, there are many that you can choose from. However, if you want to try your luck without the help of a professional, below are some commands and how you can incorporate them into your dog.
“Come” Command: This command is meant to have your pet come to you when you speak out their name or just the word “come.” This can be extremely useful when you are out and about and need your dog to listen to you. Give your dog a treat when you say “Come” or call their name. Move to another location and then say your dog’s name once again as soon as they finish the treat. Give them another treat when they come to your new location. Continue expanding on these games by playing them farther apart and in different places.
“Heel” Command: The Heel command helps make those walks with your dog easier and enables them to follow you or be at your “heel.” Say the dog’s name while giving the “Heel” command, and with the dog at knee height on one side and you holding the leash in your hand, begin walking. Treats and encouragement should be given when he steps in by your side as per your expectation. Give the leash a light tug to get him back into position. If they do not pick it up immediately, try again. Don’t worry; your dog will get it soon enough!
“Stay” Command: When you give a dog the “Stay” command, it will stay seated until you tell them to stand up by giving another cue. Staying still is a behavior that lasts for a while. The idea is to get your dog to sit till the release cue is delivered. Say “Stay” and their name while commanding them with an open palm gesture positioned in front of them. Maintain eye contact, hold them in the “Stay” position for 30 seconds, and let go of them by saying “Okay.” Have him stay longer while you practice.
“Down” Command: This command is extremely helpful to have your dog relax and come to a passive position, especially when excited. Due to the fact that this exercise requires your dog to be passive, it can be a little difficult. By providing a treat, carry out this command. Move the reward slowly toward your dog’s nose and face while holding it in your closed fist. Allow your dog to sniff the item, then slowly lower your hand to the ground to invite them to follow. When your dog starts to lie down, keep moving your hand down the floor. Treat your dog or give them praise for good behavior. Until they are proficient in the command, repeat this exercise.
While the above-mentioned commands are the ones used most often, there are many more commands that you can use for your pet. You can read up on the step-by-step instructions on using most of the commands online, but hiring a professional will get you the most effective results. A trained dog is a true blessing as it will not only make maintaining them in public easy and less stressful for you, but it will also make simple chores like watching them, taking them to the vet, or heading out to the dog park an easy breeze. Dogs are kindred spirits and can make one’s life so much more precious, but when they can truly listen to your commands easily, they make the entire experience much more elevated. If you are wondering whether or not to train your dog professionally, we encourage you to just do it because chances are that you will never regret it.