Vocabulary with Dogs

As humans we use a variety of words with many layers of subtle meaning. To our dogs, however, being very precise AND concise makes learning much easier. Thinking about the words we use during teaching and training takes only a few minutes, but it can provide huge dividends.

Teaching dogs involves communication. As a trainer, I use a balanced approach to teaching that includes several distinct components of communication. While language with dogs will involve more than words alone, here are some simple vocabulary terms I use with my own dogs...

NO - A simple marker that lets a dog know they are doing something wrong. It means "stop" and pay attention - more information is coming. To those who believe you should never tell a dog "no", I believe that's patently absurd. Dogs need information, and good leaders will always make a problem known. The word "NO" starts that discussion.

OFF - I use this very broadly to tell a dog to get their paws or teeth off something inappropriate - people, furniture, items on the ground, counters, etc. When dogs understand that certain items are off limits, additional language such as "leave it" becomes unnecessary.

MOVE - Used to tell a dog to move back and yield space. Very useful practically, and for building leadership with a dog.

QUIET - Used to tell a dog to stop barking or making unnecessary noise.

LET'S GO - Used to tell a dog we are going to move in the same direction, and you need to follow me. If on leash, I also enforce a rule of no tension on the leash, so dogs don't pull or begin leading the walk.

HEEL - Heel is a position command, having a dog walk precisely on a designated side and sitting when motion ends. It's a natural evolution of "let's go" , but owners need to clearly teach differences in these two pieces of vocabulary.

COME - A recall, or telling a dog to come all the way over to you AND stay there. During the "come" command an owner will be facing their dog vs "let's go" where both are moving in the same direction.

HERE - I use this to mean "move toward me" without requiring a full recall where a dog must come all the way in (come). An owner will need to clearly teach the differences between "come" and "here".

SIT - Put your rear on the ground. Sit should always include stay, making addition of that word unnecessary.

DOWN - Put your chest on the ground. Down should also includes a stay.

While this list isn't exhaustive, it's served me very well. These 10 simple words can go a very long way in establishing good leadership, and beginning obedience with any dog. Good teachers are concise in their language, which means attaching clear meaning to every word (and avoiding words that are unnecessary).