Let’s be honest: Dog obedience training Houston is never easy.

Whether you’re trying to housebreak a puppy or break your adult pup’s bad obedience habits—you’re bound to run into problems.

So what’s the solution? Recognize and prevent dog training Houston issues from the start.

With the assistance of our trainers here at The Dog House Pet Salon and lots of patience—your pet will follow your every command in no time.

However, before you contact a professional trainer, there are a few basic commands you can start practicing from home. Below are the five commands your dog needs to know to function correctly.

Ready? Let’s go!

1. Sit

Is there a better way to say Welcome!” to your guests than with a rambunctious pup jumping all over them and invading their personal space?

“Teaching your dog to sit is one of the easiest commands out there.”

Hopefully, you caught on to my sarcasm!

Luckily, teaching your dog to sit is one of the easiest dog obedience training Houston commands out there.

Directions:

Hold a treat in your hand and place it close to your pup’s nose.
Move the treat up and command your dog to “sit.”
Once he sits, say “Good boy.”
Give him the treat.
Praise him for following the command.

2. Down

The “Down” command is taught very similarly to the “Sit” command. But, the benefits are well worth it. It’s a more difficult command to master, but a great way to calm an anxious or scared dog.

Directions:

Place your pup’s favorite treat in the palm of your hand and close it.
Place your hand up to the dog’s snout. When your pup smells it, move your hand to the ground to make him follow.
Once he lay’s down, say, “Down.”
Praise him for being a good boy by giving him the treat.

3. Stay

Often, the two commands, “Sit” and “Stay,” go hand-in-hand. Because of this, before you teach your furry friend to stay, make sure he has mastered the ‘sit’ command.

Directions:

First, command your dog to “Sit.”
Then, face the palm of your hand in front of you and say, “Stay.”
Maintain eye contact with your dog as you gradually step backward.
If your pup stays after a few steps, reward him with a treat.
Continue to step further back and reward your dog every couple of steps.
Practice this routine over time to see how long your dog can stay. Make it into a fun challenge!

Remember: This command requires lots of self-control from your dog, and some are better than others. The important part is that you don’t give up hope too soon!

After all, great dogs come to those who wait. Cheesy, I know, but it was just too easy.

4. Come

After you teach the “Stay” command, “Come” is the next best thing. A great way to introduce the “Come” command is through leash training your pup.

Directions:

Place the collar and leash on your dog and walk away from him. Tell him to “Stay.”
Then, ask him to “Come” toward you while tugging on the leash gently.
If your dog comes to you, reward him with a treat, praise, and affection.

This command is crucial to teach your dog for safety reasons. It can be scary if your dog chases cars or pedestrians on the street. The “Come” command teaches your dog to listen and respect your wishes.

“The “Come” command is essential for the safety of your dog.”

5. Leave it

This command can help protect your dog from sniffing a dangerous object that could cause harm.

Directions:

Place a treat in both your hands.
Open the hand with the treat inside.
When your dog tries to eat the treat, say, “Leave it.”
If your dog stops, give him the treat from your other hand.
If he tries to lick, paw, or bark to get the treat — ignore his behaviors.
Repeat until your pup steps away from the first fist when you say, “Leave it.”
Next, give your dog the treat only when he moves away from the first fist and looks up at you.

Dog Obedience Training Houston at The Dog House Pet Salon

Are you looking for certified dog obedience training Houston TX? The Dog House Pet Salon is here to help!

Enroll your pooch in our board & train camp program today for premier training from some of the top trainers in the Houston area. This program includes:

Complimentary Doggy Day Care
Socialization with other pups
A day at our grooming salon

We have two, three, and four-week obedience programs you can choose from depending on your pup’s training level.

For a more intensive obedience training program to tackle specific training issues, schedule one of our private lessons!

Contact us today to learn more about which obedience training is right for your dog! Or give us a call at (713)-820-6140.

5 Essential Commands You Can Teach Your Dog | The Dog House Pet Salon – Houston, TX