Word
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The following list of words are some of the vocabulary
taught to dogs that are enrolled in our training program.
This is just a sampling of words - not all dogs will need
to learn every word on the list. Some of the words also
have hand signals that can be used. When saying most of
these words to your dog, please keep in mind that you are
requesting that the dog do something for you. Give the
command in a calm, authoritative voice. It helps if you
remember to say the word as it is spelled, e.g., the word
“sit” is a three letter word - do not say it
as if it were spelled with more letters “s-s-i-i-i-i-t-t”.
To get a little more authority in your voice, you may say
the word “sit” as “SIT”. But this
should not be done with an increase in volume. It is an
authoritative TONE that should be used. The commands you
use should also be used in praising the dog for a job well
done. Tell the dog what it did that made you happy, e.g.,
“GOOD SIT!”
GOOD:
When the dog hears this word, there should be no doubt in his mind that
you are happy with him.
NO:
This may be the hardest word to use properly. When you use this word,
the dog should NOT feel a sense of dread. Rather, it is used to let
the dog know that he must put his brain in gear as he has made a bad
choice. If he puts his mind in gear and pays attention to you, you will
help him figure out what he can do to make you happy. It is only in
conjunction with this word that you are allowed to give the dog any
form of correction. Please make sure you understand this concept completely
before you work with your dog.
OKAY:
This may be your dog’s favorite command. Dogs seem to learn it
very quickly. It is the word that lets the dog know that it is done
doing whatever you just asked it to do. It is important for you to learn
to use this word as it helps the dog understand the difference between
one situation and another.
RIGHT
HERE: Replaces the command “Don’t Pull.” When your
dog is on leash, it is both the dog’s job and your job to make
sure there is no tension on it. Most dogs do not seem to be bothered
by a tight leash, even if it causes them constant pressure on their
necks. This command means that you can either stand still or walk, with
your dog not pulling on the leash. If your dog does pull against the
leash, simply use your “No” and say “Right here.”
Do make sure that you are not the one guilty of tightening the lead,
thus causing the dog to pull against it. This command does not require
the dog to sit when you stop, or necessarily maintain position at your
left side. It only requires the dog to walk on a loose leash. This makes
for a more relaxed walk with your dog and should be used most of the
time.
LET’S
GO: Replaces the command “Heel.” This means that you are
moving from a stationary position, and that the dog should be next to
you as you move. Once you have established your “Right here”,
you can say “Let’s Go” and move forward. If he lags,
you may pat your leg and encourage him forward with you, praising him
when he catches up.
SIT:
This command is used to get your dog into a sit position. The hand signal
for “Sit” is raising your hand, open and flat, palm up,
over the dog’s head.
DOWN:
This command is used to get the dog into the laying down position. It
is NOT used to make the dog got off of something. The hand signal for
“Down” is moving your hand towards the ground in front of
the dog. The dog should follow your hand down.
OFF:
This command means that the dog should get all four feet back on the
ground, off of you, off of someone else, or off of the furniture.
WAIT:
Often thought of as the most useful of the commands, this word means
maintain. It is used at doorways to let the dog know he must wait for
permission to go through. It is also used when the dog is getting into
or out of the car, and when you want your dog to wait in a certain area
or room of the house. It does not require the dog to hold a position,
such as “Sit” or “Down”. It only requires that
the dog wait for your permission to cross over the “line”
at which the “Wait” was given.
STAY:
This command is an absolute. The dog must stay in the spot and position
he was placed in, regardless of what is going on around him. Praise
includes both the dog’s position (usually sit or down) and the
word “Stay”, e.g., “Good Sit-Stay!” You do NOT
call your dog off of the “Stay” - you MUST return to the
dog to release him, with a touch on the head given simultaneously with
the word “Okay”.
LEAVE-IT:
This command is used when the dog is paying attention to anything you
do not want him to. If there is food on the floor or on a table, if
a cat or another dog has his attention, if he is bothering another person,
tell him to “Leave it”. Keep in mind that he may think that
you only want him to disregard the object for the moment, and may return
his attention to it shortly. If your goal is to get him to always leave
something alone, you will have to use this command many times under
many conditions until he generalizes that you never want him to pay
attention to what ever it is.
QUIET:
This command simply means to stop barking or whining.
GO
TO YOUR RUG and WAIT ON YOUR RUG: This command means the dog should
go to his special, pre-designated “reserved parking spot”
in your house. It is your responsibility to first show your dog what
his rug is, and ensure that the dog remains undisturbed when he gets
there. Guests and children should not be allowed to pester the dog while
he is on his rug, else the rug will be seen by your dog as a restful
and desirable place to be. The dog is not required to hold a position,
such as “Sit” or “Down” while he is on the rug.
Just a calm, relaxed demeanor.
COME
HERE: We use the command “Come” in conjunction with the
word “Here” so it is said as “Come here!” This
is the most fragile command most owners will ever attempt to use with
their dog. It takes months to get this command properly conditioned,
and it can be ruined in a matter of moments by a thoughtless act on
the part of the owner. It is a word that needs to be reinforced many
times a day. To reinforce it, it is important to understand what you
are really asking the dog to do. To the dog, the word “Come”
is not the process of getting to you - it is the end result of being
with you. You can reinforce this word by simply petting your dog and
telling him what a “Good Come Here!” it is when he is with
you. That way, the dog hears the word in a positive format many times
a day. If the only time the dog hears the word “Come “ is
when you are yelling at him to stop doing something that he in enjoying
doing (such as going on an unscheduled run), he will resent the command.
And yes, an occasional treat for coming is a wonderful idea.
YOUR
DOG’S NAME: Please use your dog’s name with respect, the
same as you would like your own name used. His name is not a command
- it is simply used as a courtesy to let the dog know you are talking
to him.
Three
important techniques for reinforcing your dog’s vocabulary...
