Helping your Cockapoo
10 Commands Your Dog Should Know

Have you often wondered – how many commands should I teach my dog?  There really isn’t an exact number or limit because you can train him as much as you want.  However, if you are looking for an idea as to what basics need to be covered, the following are 10 commands your dog should know:

1. Sit – This is a useful command and one of the easiest to teach.  Sit is designed to control your dog in situations in which he may become too excited.  By knowing how to sit he learns some self-control and is less likely to jump, chase animals, etc.

2. Down – Having your dog lay on his tummy is a vital part of dog etiquette.  Having him lie down when visitors come over or if you want him to wait patiently for a few minutes allows him to remain idle in a more comfortable position than sitting.

3. Stay – This instruction is necessary for your dog’s safety.  It stops him from running into a busy street, charging other dogs, people and so on.  It is often used with the commands Sit and Down.

4. Come – This is probably the single most important command you can teach your pooch, because it gives you the control to recall your dog to you should he ever break free from your front door, a fenced yard or a leash.  It keeps him safe, gives you peace of mind and prevents him from disturbing others.

5. Heel – Walking a dog that pulls on the lead and drags you along is no fun.  You can put a stop to this annoyance by teaching him to walk nicely so that he is not bounding ahead of you or lagging behind.  Heel is very important if you have a large breed.

6. Off – You can stop your pet from jumping up on people as well as keep him off of your good furniture, bed and any other places he shouldn’t have his paws on.

7. No – Using this word for correction is useful when you want him to immediately stop the action he is performing (I.E. biting, chewing, barking, etc.).  Your pup needs to learn from the beginning that this word is associated with undesirable behavior.

8. OK – This is what is known as a release word.  It is used to release your dog from another command, such as Stay, and basically lets the pooch know he can go on his way.

9. Leave It – This command is very handy when you go on walks and for around the house.  There are many objects that can peak an animal’s curiosity but not all of these items are things you want him to have.  Leave It is used to let him know not to touch.

10. Drop It – When you catch your companion with something in his mouth that he shouldn’t have, you can have him open his mouth and release it with the Drop It command.
Content provided by Linda Cheney of ohmydogsupplies.com, check for limited time specials on  raised dog feeders; online.