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In the meantime, see our list below of the 5 Skills All Pet Dogs Should Know, curated by one of our Certified Assistance Dog Trainers. Deepen your bond with your dog and keep you and your dog safe.
Aside from basic obedience skills like sit and down, there are a number of skills that dogs can learn to keep both you and the dog safe – and also enhance the bond with your dog. Certified Assistance Dog Trainer Emily shares her top 5 skills that every pet dog should know below.
Are there skills you and your dog need to brush up on? Watch our short training videos for each skill, gather some positive reinforcement (aka: treats or a favorite toy), and get started on training!
1. Name Recognition
Can you get your dog’s attention? Your pet dog should know when they hear their name it means to look at you for direction. This lets the dog know that you’re talking to them and helps you to better communicate overall. To practice this skill, have treats handy and say your dog’s name. When they look to you, reward them with a treat!
2. Come
Every dog should know how to come when called. This is a great skill for a dog to know, and can be critical for keeping them safe. To learn this skill, make it a fun game and give the dog a treat, pet, or a fun toy whenever you call them to you and they come up to you. When they come, keep it fun. Positive reinforcement will help the behavior stick. Does your dog already know this skill? Keep it fresh by calling them to come when they’re in the middle of something else – like playing or sleeping – and then reward them well for coming to you!
3. Go to Kennel/Crate
Crate or kennel training is such an underrated skill! Your pet dog should learn how to go to their kennel or dog bed to settle. Learning how to be calm is one of the hardest things for a dog to do. If you teach them to go to a crate/bed, they learn over time that it’s a cue for them to relax. To work on this skill, you take your dog to their crate or bed and have them go inside and lay down. The only things that should be in there with them are the dog’s bed or blanket, a Nylabone, and hollow toys stuffed with goodies to occupy their mind. Start with a short time – say 5 minutes – and work your way up. Going into the crate and being released from the crate should be calm, relaxed, and unemotional.
4. Enter/Exit Vehicle
Your pet dog should learn how to jump in and out of a vehicle comfortably. Learning how to enter/exit a car is important for the dog’s safety to ensure they aren’t bolting out and putting themselves in an unsafe environment. Dogs will have to get in and out of vehicles their whole life, so learning this skill early and practicing it regularly will set you up for success! To learn this skill, ask your dog to sit outside of the car while you open the door. Have them wait and then say “car,” indicating for them to enter the vehicle. When it’s time to leave the vehicle, ask them to “wait,” and then put their leash on. Then you can tell them “free” so they jump out of the vehicle. The idea here is to have them wait for your cue before they enter or exit a vehicle.
Entering a vehicle:
Exiting a vehicle:
5. Handling
Another underrated skill that all dogs should learn is to be comfortable with body handling. This is a skill your dog will need throughout its life, especially when it’s being examined by a vet or when you’re concerned about them medically. This is a great skill for deepening the bond between you and your dog, as well. Practice by calmly petting all over your dog’s body, and checking their ears, eyes, mouth, nails, and body for changes on a regular basis can be lifesaving. Keep this activity calm and positive so your dog associates being handled with a relaxing experience.
BONUS
Wait
Teaching your dog to wait is a great skill that can be used in many scenarios. This can be an important skill to keep your dog from bolting out of a door before you’re ready. To learn this skill, have your dog on leash and when you approach a door, ask them to sit. Open the door and say “wait.” Pause for a moment and then ask them to follow you through the door.
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