Whether you have a new puppy or a dog that’s been a part of the family for awhile, proper training is the key to a good relationship with your pup. By now I’m sure you know all the standard routine commands like “sit” and “lie down,” but there a few you may not have thought of.

The commands I’m going to go over in this post are going to be the ones I personally think are imperative to help keep your dog safe!

The “Wait” Command

This is by far my favorite of all the commands because it is so versatile and can be used in so many situations. The wait command is going to be different from your usual “stay.” I use the wait command to teach my dogs not to run out the front door. It can also be used to teach them not to jump out of the car before I’m ready for them. This command can be lifesaving! I can’t tell you how many people tell me their dog slipped right past them out the door and ran away. Or someone accidentally left the door open. That is definitely not a situation you want to be in. 

Tips on how to teach this

• You always want to start with your dog leashed.
• Bring your dog to the door and have them sit.
• If your dog comes out of the sit and is trying to jump at the door; continue to put them back into a sit until they can calmly stay there before moving onto the next step.
• Once they’re maintaining a sit, you’re going to start to open the door slightly.
• If your dog lunges at the door or stands up, close the door quickly, or block them with the leash.
• Put them back into a sit, and repeat the process.
• After repeating this process a few times, your dog should sit down and stay sitting while you open the door. 
• Once you’ve gotten to this point you can then start to implement the “wait” command before opening the door.

The main thing you’re looking for in this situation is sitting and eye contact. You want  your dog to be looking at you for confirmation rather than trying to run out. When eye contact is given, praise them with a “yes.” After you repeat the process a few times you can start to introduce the “wait” command before you open the door. Then when they’re looking at you and you’re ready to go through the door, you will use a release word like “okay” or “free.”

When teaching this using the car, you’re essentially going to go through the exact same process. Since you can’t hold the leash from outside of the car you can wrap it around the headrest. 

The “Leave It” Command

My second favorite command is the “leave it” command. This one can also be very helpful when trying to keep your dog safe. As a dog owner, I am constantly making sure my dogs aren’t picking up or chewing on anything they shouldn’t be. Whether it be in the house, backyard or while we’re out for a walk. That’s where “leave it” comes in. This command teaches your dog what they can and cannot touch.

After teaching my dog this, I am able to  drop anything on my floor or be out on a walk and know he will not pick it up. This can also come in handy if you have a particularly reactive dog on walks. While it won’t solve that problem in itself, it can help to deter your dog from wanting to bark or go after another when told to leave it.

Tips on how to teach this

• You’re going to sit down on the floor with your dog in front of you and facing you.
• Place treats in both of your hands, but place one hand behind your back.
• Take your other hand and put it on the floor while covering the treat.
• Your dog is going to sniff and try to bite at your hand to get the treat.
• Once they stop going for it, take a treat from behind your back and give it to them with a praise command such as “yes.”
• DO NOT give them the treat that was under your hand on the floor. This teaches them that they can eventually have what we told them not to. Always make sure the reward is coming from your other hand behind your back.
• Continue to do this while gradually moving your hand off the treat.
• If your hand is off the treat and they go for it, immediately cover it back up, wait for them to stop and reward again from behind your back.
• Once your dog understands, start to add in the “leave it” command when you put the treat down.
• With practice you should work your way up to leaving the treat on the ground without your dog touching it.

Sitting Before Crossing A Street

While this isn’t exactly a command it is an excellent thing for your dogs to learn. You can also implement the “wait” command with this one as well. Basically you don’t want your dog lunging across the street ahead of you. Or if god forbid they do get out, crossing back and forth across the street on their own. Teaching them to sit before crossing will help to hopefully prevent both these scenarios. 

Tips on how to teach this command

• To teach this you’re going to take your dog out for a walk.
• Anytime you get to a cross walk, stop and have your dog sit.
• Again like before, what we’re looking for is eye contact.
• Anytime your dog looks up at you, reward them with a treat and praise command.
• When you’re ready to cross the street, you’ll again use your release word such as “okay” or “free.”
• Continue to do this all throughout your walk.
• Your dog should eventually start sitting and looking up at you on their own whenever you stop.

The Place Command

Now this is one we’re still admittedly working on in our house. Teaching your dog “place” is essentially exactly as it sounds. It teaches them to go to a certain spot when told and to stay there. This is super helpful if you have company over or if your dog needs a break. This also can be used when you are eating, or just need to get something done without the dog in the way. This command can be helpful in many ways. 

Because I myself struggle with this command, I asked my friends over at Canine Connection Nj to help me explain this one. They also have a really helpful instructional video over on their instagram for you to check out as well.

Tips on how to teach this

• Start with your dog leashed.
• You’re going to walk your dog around the bed you want them to be on, let them sniff around, and get familiar with it.
• If they are treat motivated you can put treats on the bed to encourage them to go on it.
• When your dog gets fully onto the bed, reward with a “yes” praise command and treats.
• You may need to use a little leash pressure to help encourage them to get onto the bed.
• Continue to have your dog come on and off of the bed, and continue to praise and reward when your pup is fully on the bed.
• Once your dog is comfortably stepping up onto the bed themselves you can start to introduce the place command.
• To properly introduce the command, bring them up to the bed and say “place” right before they step up onto it.
• Repeat this process multiple times.

Adding duration and distance

• Once your dog is comfortable with this and learning what the command means you can start to add in duration and distance.
• Have your pup step up onto the bed, once they’re on, you can start to slowly walk around the bed while still holding onto their leash.
• If they try to come off the bed, bring them back up and praise them once they are back on the bed.
• Once your dog is comfortable with you walking around them, you can start to drop the leash and do this. While adding a little distance between you and the dog.
• After some practice, you can add a “down” command when they are on the bed.
• To have them come off the bed when you’re ready, you will use your release word.

Proper Recall

Now this command is the big one, and one most people struggle with. Proper recall means your dog will come back when called regardless of the situation. If your dog ever gets out, or you decide to have them off leash you need to make sure you can get them right back before they can get into trouble. 

For tips on how to teach this one I again enlisted the help of Canine Connection. As with all the other commands you want to have your dog on a leash. Rather than just saying the word “come” while your dog is running around the back yard, you want to have them on a leash and start to engage them.

Tips on how to teach this

• To start engaging them, you’ll want to run back and away from the dog while saying the word “come.”
• When your dog comes to you, reward with food and praise.
• It’s best to start off with smaller distances and slowly increase them.
• To do this you can use a long leash while training this command.
• This allows you to create distance between you and your pup while still keeping them secure.
• Once you’re able to work through this in a distraction free environment, you’ll then want to start practicing with distractions.
• Even throughout your distraction practices, your dog should still remain on a leash.
• Only until your dog knows this command in any situation they should remain on a leash.

Time And Patience

As with all training time and patience is key. You may teach your dog something one day and the next they forget. Consistency is your best friend. You’re never fully done training your dog. Your pup may pick on some things quickly and other things may take more time. It is ok for your dog to not learn these things right away. These commands require a lot of practice, don’t give up or get discouraged with your dog. Practice makes perfect! 

I hope you found these helpful and can start implementing them in your pups daily routine! Be sure to check out Canine Connection Nj for even more tips to hep train your dog! You may also find our other blog post helpful, it’s all about how to help your dog cope with car stress/anxiety. If you try any of these training tips, be sure to tag us using the hashtag #dogsdontwearpantsblog!