I have been asked a couple of times this last week to explain in a bit more detail what commands are used and what they should actually mean to the dog, once we have trained them.
‘SIT’
Basically SIT (there) until I tell you to do something else or release you with my ‘OK’ Release command.
‘OK’
Means, you are free now to break your sit or down, and do what you want until I ask you to do something further.
‘DOWN’
Lay flat where I have asked you to until I tell you to do something else or release you with my ‘OK’ Release command.
‘HEEL’
Should mean walk beside my left leg and keep pace with me, stop when I stop etc. It does not mean I am going to yank you back to my side very shortly.
‘FETCH’
Means chase out, and retrieve what you have just seen me throw for you.
‘COME’
Stop what you are doing and come straight back to me and sit in front of me.
‘FIND IT’
Means run out in the direction I am showing you and retrieve something that smells the same as the scent you have taken from me.
‘OFF’
Means stop jumping up, get off of the bed or other furniture. Which should always follow up with something you can then praise the dog for doing, either a SIT or a DOWN.
Each of the above represents a sound to the dog, its not a word, they do not understand the english language.
NEVER use the word ‘NO’ unless you have trained in a consequence of them not obeying it. Ie. If you say ‘NO’ to the dog, you are telling it not to do something, if there is no consequence for not stopping what they are doing, the word is totally useless.
GOOD BOY / GOOD GIRL
They new what sex they were long before you met them, so no need to reinforce that. Instead, once you have asked them to do something ‘SIT’ or ‘DOWN’ Then praise them ‘GOOD SIT’ or ‘GOOD DOWN’ It will increase the association of what the dog is doing at the point its receiving praise for doing it.
KEY to good communication with your dog - Don’t Talk to them like a human being, say less so they have to listen more !! After all their biggest language is body language !
