{"time":1662737282932,"blocks":[{"id":"r7pjxCrB4E","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"When you get a dog, it's your responsibility to make sure the dog is kept under control at all times. Training your dog is a fantastic way to avoid behavioural issues. Training benefits you, your dog and other people around you. A poorly trained dog can cause a huge problem at home and when you’re out walking. Here are some basic commands every dog should understand."}},{"id":"jpuogjA0N8","type":"header","data":{"text":"Sit","level":2}},{"id":"xQx1VHazXT","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Most owners teach their dog to sit; it's a simple command that enables owners to keep their dog in a single location and avoid them running around. Teaching your dog to sit controls their energy which can be very useful both at home and when you’re out on a walk. This command is one of the easiest commands you can do from a young age. Use a treat in your hand and let your dog follow the treat with its nose. Take the treat from the floor and up over the dog’s head. Their bum will naturally come down like a see-saw when their head lifts up. When your dog's bum hits the ground, say “sit” and reward them with a treat. This can take a few times and a bit of practice to perfect in exciting situations. However, your dog should pick it up quickly and be sitting whenever you ask within a few weeks. If you find your dog isn’t interested in treats, which is rare but does happen, try using a ball or a toy as the reward instead. "}},{"id":"aEM3crkhk_","type":"header","data":{"text":"Stay ","level":2}},{"id":"Cq0cy7VnQG","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"There may be situations where you need your dog to stay put whilst you go and deal with a situation. The stay command is also really useful if you’re carrying things and have a gate or door open and you need your dog to remain in the house or garden. Stay is more challenging to learn compared to sitting, but it is achievable for most dog owners. First, put your dog into the sit position, then ask them to stay, lean slightly away from them, then return to your starting position and reward them. You will need to take time to extend the distance between you and your dog. Sometimes within a few tries, the dog understands, and you can take a few steps away, leaving your dog in position. Other dogs might need more practice. If your dog does move from the stay, take their lead and place them back into the position you started in, asking them to sit again. Don’t tell your dog off; just calmly try again until they begin to understand. "}},{"id":"Y_UxLxYJA5","type":"header","data":{"text":"Come or return","level":2}},{"id":"frneRfQ6xj","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Training your dog to return to you is very important; it's also a tricky skill to learn and perfect, especially with distractions. However, you will use this command every day if your dog is able to succeed consistently. It's useful on walks when you want to let your dog off for more freedom and in the house or garden. Some people use lip whistles or another form of dog whistle to train this command. Others simply use their voice; it depends on your preference and how far you expect your dog to go off the lead. Lip whistles and other dog whistles are used most commonly for working dogs. To train your dog to come, start with a long lead in the house. Use a phrase such as come or return and hold a treat; if your dog returns to you, give them the treat. If they don’t return to you, use the lead to encourage them to come in your direction; avoid pulling the lead; just use it gently. You should be exciting and fun, so your dog wants to return to you; express this in your voice. You can also kneel on the floor and open your arms to encourage your dog to come toward you. Keep practising this in the house on a long lead and then progress outside and on walks. Only when your dog constantly comes back every time without you needing to repeat the command can you let go of the long lead. Make sure you test them when there are other distractions and dogs around. Eventually, once they’ve mastered this skill, you can allow them more freedom to be off the lead where permitted, knowing they will return once you ask. If they don’t come back, you might need to go back to a stage and put them back on the long lead."}},{"id":"DZw4OIYaH1","type":"header","data":{"text":"Resources:","level":3}},{"id":"TMe-7SdafQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Dog Whistles - W3Schools
Dog Training Whistles - Talium
Shepherd Whistles - Wikiful
D-day Clicker - Typedream"}}],"version":"2.25.0"}

Basic Commands Every Dog Should Understand