The key to success lies in brevity. A simple “Sit” is easier for the dog to understand than “Could you please sit down now, or I’ll get really mad!” and “Here” is better than “I told you to come here, didn’t you understand me?”. Dogs quickly tune out long sentences; it’s like talking to a brick wall for them. It’s also unnecessary to just call the name without telling the dog what to do.

Correct timing is also crucial. There’s only a short window of about 2 seconds for the dog to connect the spoken command with an action. Praise for the correct behavior must come immediately afterward. Stay calm, friendly, and patient, as you are the teacher!

Basic commands are “child’s play,” so after the initial training sessions, even your child can get involved. Even the very young ones can participate in simple exercises and encourage the dog.

“Sit” Command

Stand in front of your dog and show him food in your hand. Slowly move it over his head. He will automatically sit to keep the treat in sight. Simultaneously, give the command “Sit” and provide the treat. Repeat the process until the dog sits on its own in anticipation of the treat when given the “Sit” command. You can support the verbal cue “Sit” with a pointed index finger, creating a visual signal.

Once the dog shows some success, a child can be actively involved. Show the child how to do it, and then let them repeat the process. The age at which children can be integrated into training depends on their development and personality. However, even 4-year-olds can grasp and execute the learning content for the “Sit” exercise. The exercise should be based on motivation rather than obedience. Not every dog can be forced into certain behaviors by children. Therefore, make sure your child motivates rather than demands, positively influencing the quality of the relationship between the child and the dog.

“Down” Command

Once the dog understands “Sit,” it’s time for “Down.” Again, take some food in your hand and place it closed and with fingers down in front of your dog. Withdraw your hand. As soon as his nose follows your hand, and he lowers his body into the desired position, say the command “Down,” and open your hand.

For small and medium-sized dogs, you can lure the dog with a bent leg or, alternatively, a chair. Also, take some food in your hand, place it closed and with fingers down in front of the dog. Withdraw your hand and lure him through your bent leg or the chair. He will have to lie down to reach the food. At this moment, say “Down,” turn your hand, open it, and let him access his reward.

Repeat this exercise until the dog lies down on his own and is no longer lured by the leg.

Continue to challenge the exercise by asking the dog for the same behavior while you remain standing. Lean forward with the same hand movement and the same command. Repeat this exercise until the dog lies down on its own in response to the command and hand signal. Gradually, stand more upright with each repetition, and accompany the verbal cue “Down” only with the hand slowly lowering from an outstretched arm. If this works well, slowly delay the food reward.

In the third stage of training, let your dog wait for a moment. He has already learned what to do; now, he learns that it’s worth waiting.

Now, you can reintegrate the child into the training. As with the “Sit” exercise, demonstrate it first. Show your dog that his reward now comes from the child. Let the child practice, and correct in time, as everything that happens is your responsibility. Don’t expect your child to understand the dog’s behaviors and reactions and be aware of the consequences. Most biting accidents are due to improper behavior towards the animal. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust your child’s tasks and rights in dealing with the dog based on both their mental and physical development.

“Stay” Command

Once your dog has learned to sit and lie down on a verbal cue, you can now train the “Stay” command. Place the dog in a down position and take a few steps away, about two to five meters. Look at him and signal with the word “Stay” and a hand gesture that he should remain. Then return to the dog, walk around him, and then move another two to five meters away. If your dog tries to get up and come to you, react immediately. Bring him back to his position. As soon as he lies down, praise him again and continue the exercise. Gradually extend the waiting time for the dog and increase the distance. If this works well, integrate the command “Come.” The dog can come to you as a reward, where a game begins or a food reward awaits.

“Come” Command

This signal serves as a release command and, therefore, as a kind of cue for free movement. The goal is to release your dog from a requested position. He is motivated to come to you. It serves as practice to be able to recall him from precarious situations later.

This training is done from the “Stay” position, with the dog lying down. Slowly move away from your lying dog. However, keep giving him the signals “Down” and “Stay.” If he stays lying down, praise him with a “Good boy.”

Now, he receives the invitation to come to you with the command “Come.” He may initially hesitate or twitch because he doesn’t precisely understand what is meant. Make yourself more interesting, perhaps wave your arms as if you want to hug him. Be active! As soon as he arrives, rejoice enthusiastically and reward him. In the further course of this training stage, the time between staying and your recall is gradually extended, and the distance from your dog is incrementally increased. You can emphasize the “Come” command with a vertically outstretched arm, allowing the dog to see from a great distance what you want and saving your vocal cords.

If this also works well, your own offspring can be integrated into the training. The “Stay” and “Come” commands are initially demonstrated and explained to the child in combination. Position your child where you would call your dog to come to you. When the dog comes running, the child now hands over the reward. The exercise tasks are gradually transferred to the child step by step and in reverse order. Initially, only the recall command, then the command to stay, and finally, ultimately, the command to lie down. If the individual stages of training also work well for the child, the entire sequence can now be performed by the child.

However, keep in mind that your own children are part of the dog’s pack. Dogs usually show a lot of tolerance and patience towards them. This may not necessarily apply to unfamiliar children. Initially, conduct this exercise in quiet places. Only when it works well without distractions should the training be moved to public areas.

“Here” Command

This training builds on the “Come” command exercise. Secure your dog with a long leash (10 m). Allow him some freedom and ignore him. When he is somewhat distracted and perhaps sniffing around, call his name, and when he looks, use the command “Here.” Use the same visual signals as with the “Come” command. If you are in close proximity, wave your arms a bit and be active. If you are further away, simply hold your arm vertically in the air. Since he has already associated this with the “Come” command exercise, he will easily make the connection. As soon as your dog comes to you, reward him with some food and immediately send him away again.

If your dog does not come to you immediately, give a short impulse through the long leash. As soon as the dog moves in your direction, motivate and reinforce him. When he arrives, reward him with food and immediately send him away again.

Repeat this exercise until the dog comes to you immediately upon hearing the command. Initially, conduct this exercise only in quiet places. Only when it works well without distractions should the training be moved to public places. Never call your dog if you cannot enforce the recall. If he is so distracted that he wouldn’t listen, move away from the dog. Controlled hiding is also allowed; you can see the dog, but he cannot see you. In such situations, your dog must learn that not coming to you has a disadvantage for him.

“Drop It,” “No,” “Shame” – Command

This command is based on a small exchange. If your dog has taken something forbidden or unappetizing into his mouth, he will voluntarily give it up only if he gets something even better in return. Start the targeted exercise at home using old socks or a ball as lures. As soon as the dog picks up these objects, say “No.” If he lets it go, praise him immediately and give him a treat. If he wants to keep the items, make your alternative particularly interesting and exciting. Your dog must learn that you always have the better things. This command is crucial because not everything the dog eats is healthy.

Commands for prevention are not commands that children should use. Especially in situations where resources are involved, children can be in danger. Objects like food or a ball, or other interesting items, can serve as a demonstration of the dog’s position. In these situations, he may tend to defend himself. Dogs in adolescence particularly seek their place, which they want to optimize through resource control. Any “interference” from children can trigger defensive or protective reactions from the dog. Make it clear to your child that they have no say in these situations.

Children are often instinctively good at setting the right nonverbal signals when the dog wants to take something from them. If the dog still appropriates things, please react as an adult, take on the role of a mediator, and allocate items.

Command Lexicon

Command:	Tone:	Tone Meaning:
Name	Neutral	Look at me, expect something
Sit	High	Sit down and stay, expect something
Down/Lie Down	Deep	Lie down and stay, expect something
Come	Neutral	You may come to me, something awaits you
Here	High	Come quickly and directly to me now
Drop It	Deep	Immediately let go/drop it and leave it to me
Good/Nice	High	Well done!
No	Deep	Stop it or don’t do that, let it go
Watch	Neutral	Attention, expect something

But please don’t forget: Even if you and your four-legged partner master all these commands, you’re not in the military, so always remember to stay friendly!