From there, McMillan explains his playful, careful, and kind approach to training the 7 Common Commands he teaches every dog: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO.
The three most common, and most necessary training techniques are teaching your dog to sit, stay and come. Teaching your dog to sit is simple and it is also the basis for other commands, so it is a good one to start with.
Essential Command #1: Sit
“Sit” may be the most helpful obedience command you can teach your dog and it might even be the first they learn. While it might seem lackluster in terms of excitement, “sit” is crucial to your pup's safety and development.
When you get a new dog, whether it's a puppy or an adult rescue, she probably needs some obedience training. More specifically, a well-behaved pup should respond to seven directions in order to become a good canine citizen: Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Heel, Off, and No.
According to Ray, the basic commands that every dog should learn (in this order) are heel, sit, stay, and come. With the dog at knee level on your left side and the leash in your hand, start walking with your left foot first as you give the “Heel” command, using the dog's name.
Sit. Unlike teaching your pup to stay down, “sit” is the easiest command to teach your furry friend. To teach your puppy this trick, make sure to follow the next steps carefully: Kneel in front of your puppy with a treat in your hand.
Handled by owner & family members twelve (12) times a week – Hold under arm, hold to chest, hold on floor near owner, hold in-between owner's legs, hold head, look in ears, hold paws, hold and take temperature (with veterinarian's assistance), hold like a baby, hold & trim toenails (with veterinarian's assistance), ...
The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your dog to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months. Think of your new dog's first 3 days as their time to decompress as they transition from a shelter or foster home into your home.
When it comes to where dog's get their daily calories, we recommend following the 90/10 rule: 90% of calories from a complete and balanced diet, 10% from treats! Treats can be considered the splurge, but more often, the actual act of giving a treat means more to the dog than the actual treat itself.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Commonly used release words are “okay,” “break,” and “free.” Often a release word is followed by another command such as “come.” When teaching stay, you should have already chosen a release word.
- Training a “No” or to “Leave” command is teaching your dog to stop doing something. Most dogs respond more easily to actually doing something. So, asking your dog to “Sit” and receive a treat may be easier to train.
You need an incentive to encourage your dog to come back - a really tasty treat or a fun game with a toy. Show your dog the toy or food. Run away a couple of paces then call your dog's name and say "come" in a friendly, exciting tone - getting down low can also encourage them to come back.
Arguably the most important command to teach your dog, “stay” will come in handy daily. For their safety and the safety of others, “stay” needs to be taught at an early age. To teach it, have your dog start by sitting.
According to Guinness World Records, the dog duo recently set the world record for the most tricks performed by two dogs in one minute. The border collies achieved the feat by successfully pulling off 28 tricks together in just under 60 seconds.
The Best Time to Start Training
Most start around twelve weeks, but the truth is that you should begin at about eight weeks instead. As soon as they open their eyes, puppies start to learn about their new world and how to navigate it.
Your dog's SOS signals
Generally, there are three primary ways that you can tell when a dog needs your help: physiological changes, behavioral changes, and signs of pain or discomfort.
Your dog is reliant on you to provide them with food, water, a safe place to sleep, exercise and veterinary care both for check-ups and in an emergency. Being able to provide for your dog's biological needs is the first step in building a bond with them.
Like humans, dogs need food, water, and shelter to survive. Yet, they also need physical care, mental stimulation, and nurturing to thrive. Providing these things is an essential part of keeping your dog healthy and safe and sets the foundation for a long, happy life with your dog.