Training is done by and large with tone of voice. The following important commands make living with a dog much safer and easier, yet are so simple to teach that they can be taught without the foundation of basic obedience training. Your dog needs to know “good dog and bad dog”, “no and ok”, “leave it and take it”, “wait and lets go”, and “on and off” in order to have at a basic understanding of how to behave.  Using the appropriate commands with your dog teaches him two indispensable lessons: how to win your approval and, just as important, how o avoid your disapproval. As his leader, you need to put the time in to make sure he knows the difference.

No and Ok

Start with the bare minimum of commands. These two words are essential in any pet vocabulary. “No” and “OK” are the tools of the trade. “No” is a growl. It warns and stops. It should be used whenever your dog is starting to behave in an undesirable way. “OK” is a loving invitation. It gives permission. It should be used when your dog seems to be on the right track but not sure where his behavior stands. A happy “OK”, will get that tail wagging in no time. Most importantly, your tone of voice, a deep tone for “No” and a normal to slight high pitch for “OK,” these two little words will be as useful to you in educating your dog as a biscuit or a  scratch!

Good Dog and Bad Dog

First and foremost, responding to your dog’s behavior with appropriate praise and correction teaches him what he can and cannot not do to meet your approval. So he can understand the difference between right and wrong, it is your obligation as his leader to quickly reinforce his behavior. This could be a positive reinforcement ,when he behaves appropriately (like quietly waiting for his dinner), you praise him and scratch behind the ears, or it could be a negative reinforcement, when he doesn’t behave well (like when he jumps up to the counter), you get in his face and say “bad dog” and make him leave the kitchen. Both positive and negative commands need to be used immediately and repetitively through out the day in order for your dog to associate the commands with their consequences.

Leave It and Take It

Let’s face it; dogs can be just as sneaky as rats! They try and get their snouts on anything that looks like food or a toy, even if it’s really a wrapper, tissue or chicken bone. If your dog is one of these culprits, then the command “leave it” is very necessary! “Leave it!” is said with a deep tone of voice. It’s serious! Indoors, use the command (with a clap, quick shake-can rattle, or a startling noise of some kind) right at your dog when he’s trying something sneaky. Outdoors, add a pop of the leash to “leave it” when he tries to snag a piece of garbage or case a cat.

The “Take it” command is usually the easier of the two. Since your pooch probably wants anything it can get its’ mouth on, when you give your dog a treat or a toy, say “Take it”.  Next, try putting the treat or toy on the ground (anywhere in the room) and say “Take it.” This is especially useful when playing fetch. This way they pick up the ball and bring it to you, as they should!

Wait and Let’s Go

            Wait and Lets go are similar to Stay and Come, but not quite as hard to accomplish. Wait means- give this a minuet (where as stay means freeze!). Use the term “wait” when you want your dog to stop before he eats, hang on a sec before he runs out the door, or to say don’t take the biscuit just yet. It is a temporary pause before the action. This lesson is patience; he is to wait for you. “Wait” is also a more relaxing command. Put your hand up, say “wait”, and if your dog stops, give him praise.

Next teach him “Let’s go”. This is not come, but a simple, let’s get a move on! For instance, if your dog stops to stare at a cat across the street, you don’t say come, he’s already there, so you give him a nudge and say “Let’s go” with a cheerful, in-charge voice, pop the leash and then praise him when he starts moving.

On and Off

            Where is your dog allowed? It is important to be consistent with this command, because most of the time your dog will want to be ‘On” what ever he can as long as your there, so make sure he learns what on and off limits. “On” is an invitation (which is usually accepted with enthusiasm I’m sure!)! Simply say “On” by patting your hand where ever you want your dog to go; the bed, the sofa, your lap, and like magic, there’s your dog! Now “Off” isn’t so loved by dogs. It means they don’t get to go somewhere they want, so keeping your dog off takes a little more work. “Off” needs a gruffer voice than “On”. You mean business and jumping up is not ok right now. Sometimes this is going to need a pull on the collar, or a tug of the leash, but eventually, with reinforcement, you dog will understand his boundaries.

After you have taught your dog these few simply commands, you will be amazed at the difference in their behavior! Dogs enjoy learning just as humans do, and they depend on you to be their teacher. Consistency and repetition are key to a dog’s success, as is making sure you are there for the good times and well as the bad. Remember, one-sided reinforcement will not do the trick, positive and negative commands are essential to dogs learning capabilities. Voice consistency and reward are highly associated with understanding correct behavior as well, so make sure implement those strategies as often as you can. When your dog knows, No, OK, Good dog, Bad dog, Leave it, Take it, Wait, Let’s go, On and Off, you will be well on your way to a well trained Pup and obedient companion!