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.
"At a basic level, I'd say these are the 10 commands. Come, Sit, Down, Place, Stay, Heel, Kennel, Leave it, Drop it, Watch me. Success with any of these commands lies in the approach.
Although there are many behaviors that promote safety, there are three basic commands that are especially critical: "down stay," "drop it" and "come." Not only should every dog be familiar with these behaviors, but dogs should be trained to perform them anywhere, anytime.
According to Ray, the basic commands that every dog should learn (in this order) are: heel, sit, stay, and come. Heel – 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.
Essentially, your dog wants your approval. So, rather than yelling or constantly saying “No”, quicker progress can be made by teaching your dog a 'no' signal – one that tells him to stop whatever he is doing whenever he hears it. A suitable command can be “Leave”.
Sit. Teaching your dog to sit is one of the most basic dog commands to teach your pup, thus making it a great one to start with. A dog who knows the “Sit” command will be much calmer and easier to control than dogs who aren't taught this simple command.
The dewclaw is that extra fifth digit on your dog's front feet that sits a little higher up the paw. When you start to pay attention, you might notice that some dogs have them, some don't, and some might have doubles or ones on the rear paws as well.
The three Ds are duration, distance, and distraction, and they affect almost any behavior. Dogs don't generalize well, meaning if they learn to sit in front of you, they don't automatically know that “sit” means the same thing when you're on the other side of the room.
Pit Bull Terriers
Probably the most notorious breed on this list, the pit bull has a reputation for unpredictability and aggression, even against its owner or his family. State and local governments have been vigorous in restricting ownership of this dog with breed-specific legislation.
Almost all dogs responded to their own name and basic commands like: come, down, stay, wait, no, okay and leave it. Most of the dogs would wag their tails when hearing treat-seeking phrases like "good girl" or "good boy", while only a small minority would respond to less common commands such as "whisper" or "loud".
It's no surprise that 'walkies' scooped the top spot, with a dog's heart rate increasing by a whopping 36% every time they hear the phrase. Other words that make our four-legged friends the happiest include 'treat', 'get it', 'fetch' and 'get your toy'.
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. The best way to help them is to be their guide!
Dogs lock eyes with one another to establish dominance or to show aggression. If a dog gives a person a hard, steady stare without blinking, the dog might be warning the human to back off. Your dog might be more likely to do this to a stranger, especially if your dog thinks they need to protect you.
Use positive reinforcement techniques
Almost all vets agree that positive reinforcement training is the most effective method of dog training. Positive reinforcement training essentially focuses on rewarding your pet for good behavior, rather than punishing bad behavior.
If you say good morning and head to their leash or food bowl, they will know what you are talking about right away. Dogs will also learn their name through classical conditioning. This means that they learn to respond to their name when it is said, not that they actually know their own name is Fido.
With humans, dogs will learn their own name, but it's more of a habitual thing that needs to be trained into them.
Call your dog over and let him see the treat in your hand. As you close your hand, say "No!". Let him lick and sniff, but do not give him the treat. When he finally gives up and backs away, praise him and give him the treat.
What is direct interactive punishment, and how does it work? If you catch your dog or cat engaging in an incorrect behavior, try a loud noise such as clapping your hands or a loud “no”. Remember, reprimands need to occur while the behavior is happening, preferably just as it begins, and never after.
Here's rule number 2: say your commands only once. Why? Because you want your dog to know that “sit” means to sit.
When you set aside time for a training session, plan on working on just one command. The quick, intense lessons will help your dog learn, and sticking with just one command or behavior will help the dog stay focused. You can train them on more than one command in a day but try to stick to just one for each session.