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Dog Training Workshop, and an element of the Dog Science Network
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The Protocol of the Command
A command is a prompt that directs your dog to take some specific action. Although commands are usually given verbally, they can also be issured by way of hand signals.
It is essential that your dog be able to clearly distinguish between when you are giving him a command that must be obeyed, and when you are simply making a request or a suggestion that he is free to ignore if he chooses.
Therefore, when the time comes that you need to command your dog, it is essential that you first get his attention and alert him to the fact that you are about to issue a command. You can best do that by calling his name in a proper command voice, just an instant before you issue the command. As in: Fido - sit!
If you need to verbally command multiple dogs simultaneously, you should precede each command with the word, "Dogs," so that all the dogs present will know that they are all supposed to respond to the command that you are about to give.
Your dog should respond to every command immediately, the first time it is given. Thereby, making it unnecessary for you to give the same command a second time.
Finally, you can help your dog to recognize that a command is, indeed, a command, by always using the exact same words, listed below, to indicate what it is you want him to do.
Standard Obedience Commands
- Fido - Sit
- Fido - Down
- Fido - Stand
- Fido - Come
- Fido - Let's go
- Fido - No
- Fido - Stay
- Fido - Heel
- Fido - Okay