I think every dog should know these ten commands. Zeke, Nick, and Huck have mostly mastered them, but they forget. Often. So we practice these essentials for a well-trained dog a lot.
1. Sit. The first basic command every dog should master(after learning their name).
2. Down. Great way to calm a hyper dog.
3. Stay. Sit and down are pretty useless if your dog can't hold the position.
4. Come. I think it's pretty obvious why your dog needs to know this one.
5. Wait. I love this one for keeping your dog from rushing the door.
6. Place. In our house, this is "go to bed." Each dog has their own bed and they go and stay there during meals, when we have guests over, or when we all just need some space. Most useful thing we have ever taught our dogs.
7. Drop it. Great for fetch games, and whenever your dog puts something disgusting in their mouth.
8. Leave it. Good for avoiding disgusting things getting into their mouth, also good for ignoring distractions on walks.
9. Take it. Good for teaching your dogs to take medicine (like those all-important heartworm preventatives!). I teach this one and "leave it" by putting the boys in a down-stay, putting a treat on the ground in front of them, and saying "leave it." After a few seconds or minutes I say "take it." They catch on pretty darn quick.
10. Leash-walking. Most dogs need a daily walk. It is good for exercise, socialization, and bonding. BUT! Please don't let your dog take off in front of you and drag you along. Dogs should learn to walk on a loose lead at your side. I thought this was impossible, but if Nick can learn (it took about six months), any dog can. Huck is still a work in progress. ;)
What do you think? Any other commandments for dogs?
PS - no, my dogs are not perfect!!! we're still working on getting these ten commandments down.
These all work pretty well with children, too. Except maybe the leash part (although that is a thought) :)
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