Behavior Tips : Advanced Obedience for Your Dog

After your dog has mastered the basic obedience commands like sit, down, and walking on a leash, then the time has come to step up to more advanced obedience commands. These advanced obedience commands are just as necessary as the basics, so be prepared to pay plenty of attention to these commands.

Continue working with your dog on both new commands and the basics they have already mastered. Remember, repetition is key to learning for both you and your dog, so be sure you correctly repeat all aspects of your training, from your verbal commands to your hand gestures. After a period of time, you may wish to focus solely on hand gestures, especially if you are planning to enter your dog in obedience competitions.

Your next obedience skill should be teaching your dog to stay until released. This is an excellent command for over eager dogs who want to pounce upon guests as they enter your door. First put your dog into the sit position, then instruct them with your “stay” verbal command and accompanying hand gesture. Only make your dog stay for a short period of time before releasing him with the appropriate verbal command and hand gesture. As you work on the stay command, extend the time the dog is made to stay.

After the dog has mastered the stay command from the sitting position, train the dog again from the down position. Finally, work on the stay command from the standing position.

After your dog has mastered this advanced obedience command, begin working on a more complicated set of commands that will help your dog when walking on a leash. If your dog is uncontrollable while on a leash, pulling and tugging when walking, these next commands are crucial. When the dog is on a leash, position him on your left side and begin working on the heel command. Many owners overlook this necessary command, considering it to be old fashioned and no longer of use, but do not underestimate the importance of teaching your dog to heel while walking on a leash.

Your dog should walk beside of you, keeping his shoulder even with your leg while you walk. He should follow your cues for stopping, starting, and changing directions. You may wish to train your dog to sit when you stop moving, which is often handy so that you can handle any necessary business or complete tasks without having to give the dog extra commands.

Once your dog has mastered the heeling commands, begin working on an incredibly important skill—coming when called. Your dog should be able to immediately come when the appropriate command is given, no matter where he is or what he is doing at the time.

Do not use your dog’s name as the come command, as it may only confuse the dog. Instead, devote a special command to this task, along with a specific hand gesture. Furthermore, you will want to avoid making any additional noises, including whistling or clapping, to encourage your dog to come when called so that he is not confused by the extra noises and knows to follow the verbal command and hand gesture only.

These advanced obedience skills are necessary for dogs of all ages and breeds. Do not believe the old adage that old dogs cannot learn new tricks and be prepared to instruct dogs of all ages. Regardless if your dog is a puppy or has many years under his paws, if you use the correct training methods, you will be able to correctly teach any dog the necessary and proper obedience skills.