Commands or signals are very important in the coexistence between dogs and humans. Not only the well-known commands are important, the sometimes underestimated ones are also very useful in everyday life. Dogs are great specialists at interpreting our body language. But you should also test whether the dog obeys a signal without seeing the owner in front of him. This can be easily determined with a frosted glass door. Walk through the door and the dog stays. Say “down,” “sit,” “stand,” etc. You will be surprised at how many words he understands other than treats.
“Off” is not the same as “Off”
For example, the command “No” is well known. But there are some gradations. For example, you pass a pile of horse apples on the street, which is actually a treat for the dog. At the very beginning you should say, “Leave it.” Maybe even with lots of sharp “s”. The dog looks up at the master but sniffs the apples. Then “No, leave it.” The dog tries it anyway, “Off, ugh.” The dog still doesn’t hear and tries it.
Exercises for the dog
You have to see how you can express it even better. A good exercise is often suggested: place a container with treats on a meadow. First take the can in your hand and signal “Leave it” so that the dog passes by. If it works, there is a reward. Then stand on the ground and walk away a little. Then it should work with the appropriate signal. The well-trained “leave it” can sometimes be life-saving.
One command is not always enough
The difference between “foot” and “leg” is also important; in principle, the protection of the dog comes first. Also in front of others, this can mean people we meet. You are often confronted with so-called compulsive petters, feeders who don’t ask questions, etc. But protection also applies from other dogs, especially when they are on a leash. Therefore, it makes sense if your own body is exposed to confrontation with other leash dogs, joggers, mothers with strollers and cyclists in between. We should take our dog to the other side of our body – always around the back with the signal “Heel” to the left or “Be” to the right. There are different commands that you should train.
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