Thursday Thirteen (13) Commands for Dog Training

1. Attention.   Command for this can be dog's name or owner's choice.   Point of command is to work dog's focused attention on you for a period of time until the dog is released.



2. Loose leash walk.   Example of word's used for this is "Let's Go".   Used when you want to allow your dog freedom but also want your canine companion to walk with you within a certain distance.



3. Heeling.   Generally the command "heel" is used for this.   This is your dog walking with you in a very specific position on your left side.   This is combined with an "auto sit" each time the handler stops, and the ability to walk in heel position when the handler begins moving again.



4. Recall.   Generally the command used for this is [Dog's Name] + "Come".   You want the dog's immediate attention on you and instant coming towards you in a seated position that can be front or finish.   (also can be seperate commands)



5. Front.   Recall where dog stops in a sit directly in front of their owner.



6. Finish.   Recall where dog either circles behind to the left of owner or does a little u turn on the left of owner, and then finishes into a sit.



7. Sit.   A position where the butt is on the ground and the front paws stay on the ground, while the torso is elevated.   This is normally taught so the position is held until a realease word is given.



8. Down.  A position where the full length of the dog is touching the ground.   This is normally taught so the position is held until a release word is given.



9. Place.  The ability to send your dog to a spot that has some sort of borders, where your dog will stay until released.



10. Stand.  Command where dog will go until the position of stand from any other position, and will stay there until released.   This command is usually combined with the dog's ability to be examined.



11. Stay.   Stay can be used when a dog goes into an "auto sit" while heeling, but you don't want him to continue heeling, instead you want him to stay.   Stay also is required to be used in AKC competitions after you down, sit, or stand your dog.   



12. Get it.   This is basically a fetch command, where you release a dog to retrieve an object.   A common command for this is "get it".



13. Release Word.  This word ends many of the above commands for a dog.   Common commands for this are "free" or "break".