Commands for the dogs learned in the training program. Click on each command for more information.
Command: Come
Hand Signal: With the dog in any position and from any distance take your right arm and raise your hand up across to your chest by your heart and hold it while giving the "Come" command. The dog should come and sit in front of you or at your side looking for the next command.
Command: Front
Hand Signal: With your hands directly in front of your waist, extend your index fingers from each hand pointing directly at the ground in front of you while giving the "Front" command. The dog will come and sit facing you waiting for the next command.
Command: Right Side
Hand Signal: With the right hand, one finger pointing down, do a circular motion next to your right hip while giving the "Right Side" command. The dog will walk past your right side, turn around, and sit next to your right side looking at you for the next command.
Command: Finish/Left
Hand Signal: With the left hand one finger pointing down, do a circular motion next to your left hip while giving the "Finish/Left" command. the dog will walk past your left side, turn around, and come sit at your left side looking to you for the next command.
Command: Night Night
Hand Signal: With the dog in a sit, preferably in a down position, press both hands together the left side of your face with your head slightly turned to the side. Give the "night night" command. The dog should rest lying on its side. Say yes to release the dog and reward. If you have trouble with this command you can slightly touch the side of the dogs head while giving the "Night Night" command.
Command: Place
Hand Signal: with either index finger point to the dog's bed and/or crate give either the "place" or "Crate" command. The dog should go to where it was told to go.
Command: Shake
Hand Signal: With the dog in a sit or standing position, reach towards the dogs paw (low enough for it to comfortably reach) and give the "Shake" command. The dog should raise its paw to your hand. Use your right hand for the right paw and the left hand for the left paw.
Command: Sit
Hand Signal: Raise your right hand palm up from your side to the front stopping when your hand is parallel to the ground while giving the command "Sit". The dog should sit from any distance or position.
Command: "Stand"
Hand Signal: With either hand move your hand up towards your side, with palm facing forward, then straight downwards towards the dog chest area while giving the "Stand" command. The dog should go to the stand position.
Command: Wait/Stay
Hand Signal: Hold open your palm in front of the dogs face, fingers pointing down, and motion it towards the dog's nose while giving the "Wait/Stay" command. The dog should remain in position even while you walk away until release or the next command is given.
Command: "Up"
Hand Signal: Point at the object that you want the dog to get onto and say, "Up". Sometimes tapping the object with your hand will help motivate them. The dog should jump onto the object.
Command: "Off"
Hand Signal: When the dog is on an object, or jumping up on a person, point at the ground and say, "Off" in a clear, firm voice. The dog should then get all the way off the object/person.