Come! Sit! Stay!
These are the simple commands we're all expected to teach our pups, but they’re way smarter than we think. Dogs are among the most intelligent pets you can have in your home, capable of learning far more than a simple, “heel!” So what exactly are the essential commands every dog should know? To answer this question we turn to one of New York's most trusted trainers and Romio Pets Expert Shelby Semel. With over 10 years of dog training experience, Shelby has dedicated her life to working with animals and studying their psychology and behavior. Check out her tips below and be sure to book her for a private in-home dog training session on Romio today!
1. Look!
It seems so simple, or that you can just call your dogs name, but It is ideal to have a cue that just teaches your dog to give you eye contact. This can be particularly useful in an urban jungle like New York City. With on-coming traffic, unwieldy bikers, distracted pedestrians and other pets roaming about, a simple word to call their attention can avoid accidents, or worse.
2. Go to Bed!
Sometimes you just need your dog to give you some space! It's important you can communicate this with them and send them to a place they know to lay and relax like a crate or a bed. This is a particularly good skill for expecting mothers to teach their pups. Trust me, you'll be happy you taught this when it's feeding time!
3. Leave it!
Whether your dog is staring down another dog, perking up when they hear a sound in the hall or passing a chicken bone in the street you'll be glad this command is in your dogs repertoire! Not to be confused with ‘drop It’ which means let go of something that is already in your pup's mouth. Dogs have acute senses. The slightest smell, sound or sight will call their attention, and send them off. A short phrase will convince them it’s not worth their (and, more importantly, your) time.
4. Emergency Recall Word
'Banana!’ It’s just one of suggestion you can use to serve as your canine-911. Choose one specific word, and use is sparingly, to denote when there’s real danger. Teaching your pup a random word you'll only use in case of an emergency can be lifesaving.
5. Hand it to Me!
I like to teach dogs (usually medium to large size) to pick up items you drop and place them back in your hand. You start with easy to pick up items like bones and toys, and work up to pens, lipstick, gum packs and more! Who wants to bend over if you don’t have to? Playtime, lazy time, late-to-work time… a favorite doggy pastime is fetching items and bringing them back— so put that pooch to work!
Book Shelby Semel on the Romio App today!
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