Basic Commands for Dog Training

Raising a puppy to be obedient is not a difficult task. However, the process itself is a meticulous daily job where you, as the owner, must work tirelessly.

When a dog enters your home, it perceives your family as its pack. Therefore, it will try to take the place of the leader in the "pack."

General Information About Training

Your task is to become a leader for your pet. Only by recognizing you as the leader will you have an obedient and compliant pet that is easy to train.

If you don’t think about how to raise a dog, be prepared for a little tyrant to rule your home. You will only be left to blindly indulge its whims. Agree that there is little pleasant about this. Remember that the most beloved toy is, first and foremost, a dog.

Aggression and disobedience in an animal arise from a lack of upbringing or the pet's failure to perceive the owner as the pack leader. Correcting the behavior of your four-legged friend is possible through upbringing and training.

Don’t wait to see at what age you can train a dog. From the first moments of its arrival in your home, the animal must understand that it has entered the pack of a strong leader.

Since basic "rules of behavior" are not passed down with the pedigree of a toy terrier, you will need to methodically teach your pet simple things (toilet, place, commands, etc.).

Raising and Training a Puppy

Training a puppy in commands begins in the first month of its life. Basic commands are practiced with the puppy until it is 3 months old. By this age, the toy terrier should know its name, understand where its place is in the house, know the command "give," and bring items. Without delay, start raising and training the new family member.

The simplest commands, alongside upbringing, will quickly yield results. The main thing is to show the toy terrier through your behavior that you are the leader.

You must:

• eat first. In any pack, there is a clear hierarchy. The leader eats first, followed by lower-ranking pack members. Feed the toy terrier only after you and your family have eaten. The dog must see that you are eating. If the feeding schedule of your pet does not coincide with your breakfast, lunch, and dinner, then before feeding the dog, eat something in front of its eyes.
• be the first to enter doors. Do not allow your pet to rush headlong through an open door, push you, and trip you up. The toy terrier should politely let you go first. If the dog tries to rush ahead of you, give the command "no," hold the animal by the chest or scruff, and enter first.
• be the winner in any game. Tugging on toys and objects should end with your victory. Even if you are exhausted (which is unlikely with a toy), you must ultimately take the toy. Give the command "give" and take the item from the dog's mouth.
• achieve compliance with the command on the first try. To do this, you need to understand how to train a puppy. Repeated attempts will not lead to the desired result. The animal will stop understanding what is expected of it.
• define a place for the dog in the house. The necessity of defining a place and a similar command is again explained by lowering the animal's rank compared to you. It is up to you to decide whether to allow the toy terrier to sleep on the couch or lie in the doorway. A dog that lies in the passage or on the couch and growls at you must be immediately removed from that spot and forbidden to lie there. This measure can be temporary or permanent.
• limit the pet's movement around the house. Even if there is no need to prohibit the dog from moving freely around the house in everyday life, it can be temporarily useful to deny access to a certain room. This will again demonstrate your superiority. When the puppy or adult dog tries to enter the room, give the command "No!" and gently push it out.
• have the right to punish the dog. Using physical force or hitting the pet is unacceptable. This will lay the groundwork for distrust towards you. You should punish the toy terrier for showing aggression, not getting off the couch when you try to cover it, growling when you want to wash its paws after a walk. Punishment is appropriate for the toy if it tries to pick up food from the ground or from someone else's hands.

Commands You Can Teach Your Dog

There is no need to hire a trainer for your toy terrier. Teaching your pet basic commands can easily be done at home. The training and upbringing course is conducted in a playful manner, regardless of your four-legged friend's age.

The main course begins when the puppy is 6-8 months old. The curiosity and energy of the little ones work to your advantage, as any interaction with the owner evokes a storm of emotions. When training, it is important to consider:

• the character and behavioral traits of the toy terrier;
• clarity and correctness of command delivery;
• regularity of training sessions;
• clear distinction between work and play moments;
• mandatory rewards for the dog.

Tip: You should train your pet only before feeding. The dog should learn that by following commands, it earns its food.

The choice of commands to teach the dog depends on its owner. Only they decide what the dog can learn. Some owners want to see a fierce protector of the home or family members in their pet, while others are satisfied with the animal bringing slippers.

Basic Commands That Are Easy to Teach a Dog

We will focus on basic commands, the execution of which develops strength and intelligence in pets. Teaching these commands to a dog is not difficult, as their execution is based on the animal's basic behavioral factors.

Command "Sit"

This is the simplest command for the pet. Therefore, teaching the dog the command "Sit" is not particularly difficult. First of all, because you can start training a puppy in this command from one and a half months of age.

So, approaching the dog, attract its attention (if necessary) by calling its name. Give the command "Sit" and press down on its rear (sacrum) with your hand. At the same time, with your other hand holding a treat, move it above its head. As soon as the toy sits, reward it and after a couple of seconds release it with the command "Walk." Repeat this exercise two to three times with a five-minute interval.

Once the pet confidently executes the command "Sit" while waiting for a treat, start increasing the interval between the command and the reward to 5 seconds. This time is necessary for you to replace the verbal command with a gesture (right hand raised to ear level, palm forward).

Practice the command "Sit" not only outside but also at home. Always give this command before feeding.

Command "Come"

This is the main command that will allow you to feel secure about your pet.

Train this command in a quiet place and initially with an assistant. The person who agrees to help with the training should hold the toy puppy in their arms. You reward the little one with a treat from your hands. Next, the assistant with the puppy in their arms steps back a couple of meters and places the toy on the ground, holding it with their hand. Only after your command "Come" should the assistant release the toy, which will run to you for the treat. If the little one does not run, squat down and offer a tasty treat.

Command "No"

Incorrect behavior of the animal is corrected with the command "No." Which of these commands you choose is up to you.

Start applying this difficult command at 5-6 months of age. While walking the puppy on a leash, stop any attempt of the pet to approach any food lying on the ground. For this, sharply tug the leash, considering the weight difference between the dog and you. Continue moving. After a few meters, stop and give the dog another command, such as "Sit." If it successfully complies, reward it with a treat.

Remember that the dog is not rewarded for correctly executing the command "No."

Command "Voice"

For many owners, it is unclear how to teach a dog the command "Voice." After all, it often happens that there is too much barking.

To teach the dog to bark on command, use the imitation method. Sit a dog that knows this command next to your pet or someone from your family. Command — "Voice." The dog or your assistant should bark and receive a treat from you. Your toy should observe the scene of the treat being eaten by the "competitor." Upset by what it sees, the toy will quickly master this command.

Raising and Training an Adult Dog

Acquiring an adult dog raises doubts among people about its upbringing and training. An adult dog will require much more time to absorb information than a puppy. And this is the only difference in the upbringing and training of an adult dog. The consolidation of conditioned reflexes stumbles over the dog's unwillingness to learn. Your patience and regularity of sessions will lead to the day when your pet becomes the most well-behaved dog in the neighborhood.

Start the educational and training process for an adult animal by establishing contact between you. The faster the dog sees you as a leader, the sooner you will achieve the desired result.

Motivation in the form of treats, training without external distractions, and your good mood are the foundation for correctly adjusting the animal's behavior.

And don’t forget that if you can’t handle an adult dog, you can always seek help from a trainer.

The patience and effort you put into raising and training your beloved toy will surely return to you manifold in the form of love from the most devoted creature on earth.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can I start training a Russian Toy Terrier?

Training can begin from the first days of the puppy's arrival in your home, but it is best to practice the basic commands until 3 months.

How can I become a leader for my toy terrier?

Become a leader by demonstrating a clear hierarchy: eat first, enter doors before the pet, and win in games.

What are the basic commands my puppy should know?

The puppy should know its name, understand where its place is in the house, and execute the commands 'give' and 'no.'

How often should I repeat commands during training?

Repeated attempts are ineffective; it’s important to achieve compliance with the command on the first try so the pet understands your expectations.

Why is it important to establish a place for the dog in the house?

Defining a place for the dog helps establish hierarchy and lets the puppy understand that it is part of your pack.