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.
Training your dog to follow essential commands is crucial for their behavior, safety, and socialization. Obedience training can seem daunting, but with patience and consistency, you can teach your dog to respond to basic commands that improve their behavior. While professional dog obedience training in Houston is a great option, there are a few foundational dog commands you can start practicing at home. 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!
Why Dog Commands Are Important
Teaching your dog commands is not just about ensuring obedience—it’s about enhancing your bond and keeping them safe in various situations. Mastering basic dog commands can prevent dangerous situations like running into traffic, eating harmful objects, or getting into conflicts with other dogs.
Commands also help mentally stimulate your dog, which reduces anxiety, boredom, and destructive behavior. By incorporating regular training sessions, your dog can develop discipline and self-control.
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.
Additional Dog Commands to Teach for Advanced Training
Once your dog has mastered the five essential commands, you can introduce more advanced dog commands that build on their obedience skills. These commands help with their mental development and make everyday activities more manageable.
Heel
The “heel” command is essential for walks and maintaining control when your dog is on a leash. It teaches your dog to stay close to you while walking, reducing pulling and ensuring they don’t get distracted by external factors.
How to Teach It:
- Use a leash to guide your dog close to your side.
- Command “heel” and reward them when they stay close.
- Gradually increase the distance and time spent walking at your side.
Wait
Similar to “stay,” the “wait” command is slightly different as it signals your dog to pause until you give them the go-ahead. This is useful when entering or exiting doors or crossing busy streets.
How to Teach It:
- Command your dog to sit or stand and say “wait.”
- Reward them after a few seconds of waiting.
- Practice with gradual increases in time before rewarding.
Positive Reinforcement: The Key to Successful Training
When teaching dog commands, positive reinforcement is crucial for success. Using treats, praise, and affection when your dog performs commands correctly strengthens their motivation to obey. It’s important to be consistent in your rewards and training routines, as this helps solidify their understanding of each command.
Remember, training should be fun for both you and your dog. Short, frequent sessions are more effective than long, overwhelming ones. Over time, your dog will respond more naturally to each command.
Common Mistakes in Teaching Dog Commands
While teaching dog commands can be rewarding, some common mistakes can hinder progress. Being aware of these mistakes can help you adjust your training methods for better results.
- Inconsistency: Switching between different cues or allowing your dog to get away with ignoring commands can cause confusion. Make sure you’re consistent with the words and hand signals you use.
- Punishing Mistakes: Dogs learn best through positive reinforcement. If they make a mistake, avoid punishment, and instead use it as an opportunity to guide them correctly.
- Lack of Patience: Training takes time. If your dog doesn’t learn a command right away, don’t give up. Stay patient and consistent in your approach.
The Role of Professional Dog Obedience Training in Houston
While teaching dog commands at home is a great start, professional trainers can take your dog’s obedience to the next level. Professional training programs are designed to handle stubborn behavior, socialization issues, or advanced commands like off-leash control.
At The Dog House Pet Salon, we offer comprehensive dog obedience training programs tailored to your dog’s unique needs. From basic commands to advanced behavior modification, our trainers work closely with each dog to ensure they reach their full potential. If you’re looking for personalized dog training in Houston, our board and train camp programs might be the perfect fit.
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