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An Owner’s Manual for:T H E FIVE COMMANDSEVE R Y D O G S H O U L D K N OWby theA M E R I CAN K E N N E L C LU B

ABOUT THIS SERIESAt the AKC, we know better than anyone that your dog can’t be treated likea car or an appliance, but we’ve namedthis series “An Owner’s Manual” because sometimes you probably wishyour lovable companions came withone.These concise guides give you the tools,tips, and direction to be a responsibleand confident dog owner who bringsout the best in your dog. Give them atest drive!AKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 2

We probably don’t need to tell you which commandsevery well-behaved dog should be able to perform.Or do we? It’s OK, we get it.The “Basic 5” commands will give your puppy astrong foundation for future training.They are: Come, Heel, Sit, Stay, and Down Istockphoto/Gettyimages.comAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 3

Before we call your dog in, a word about yourapproach. How your dog feels during training willmean the difference between success and frustration.Is he afraid of you? Eager to play this fun new game?Hesitant or happy? Always be positive: Never scold orpunish him during training sessions. All you’ll do ismake him want to avoid you. Keeping it fun is the key!Now we’re ready for your buddy.AKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 4

COMEThis command could save your dog’s life. Start indoors in a place without distractions. Squat down,open your arms, say “Come,” then praise him as soonas he starts moving toward you. Use an enthusiastictone so that coming to you seems like the most exciting thing he could possibly do.Don’t grab for the pup when he gets near you. Let himwalk up close, then reach out and gently rub his chest,praising him the whole time. You may also give him atreat.Sealyham Terrier/Mary Bloom AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 5

If your puppy doesn’t come to you, goslowly to him, attach his leash, thenguide him to the spot where you calledhim. Praise him the entire time you’releading him. This shows him that he hasto obey, but that you’re not angry withhim.AKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 6

HEELSome trainers prefer to say “Let’s go” or “Forward” when they train this easy way of walkingtogether. Whatever command you choose, alwaysuse the same word.Start with your dog standing next to you. Holdhis leash in your left hand and a squeaky toy inyour right. Place your right arm across the frontof your body so the toy is above and slightly infront of his head. Encourage him to look up atthe toy as you give the command and step forward with confidence. Your puppy should stepforward with you as he follows the toy.Weimaraner/Mary Bloom AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 7

Keep his attention on the toy as you walk forwardtogether. If he gets distracted, squeak the toy, get hisattention, and praise him. After your puppy has given you about 20 seconds of attention, give him thetoy and play with him a bit, then try walking again.Gradually increase the time you walk together duringyour training sessions, then slowly stop using the toy.Eventually your dog will walk happily at your sidewhenever he’s on his leash.AKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 8

SITThere are two different ways to show your palwhat “Sit” means.METHOD #1Get down in front of your puppy, holding atreat. Put it right in front of his nose, then say“Sit” as you slowly lift the treat above his head.He will probably sit as he lifts his head to nibbleat it. If he backs up instead, put your other handon his rump and gently guide him down intoa sitting position the first few times. Be sure topraise him—and give him the treat—as soon ashe is sitting, even if he needed help.Cavalier King Charles Spaniel/Mary Bloom AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 9

METHOD #2Squat down next to the pup, place onehand on his chest and the other just behind his rear legs. Say “Sit” as you applygentle upward pressure to his chestand against his rear knees, guiding himinto a sitting position. As soon as he issitting, reward him!AKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 10

STAYA puppy who knows the “Stay” commandwill remain sitting until you let him get up bygiving him the “release word.” (Something like“OK!” or “Go.”)Begin with your dog sitting by your left side.Keep the leash loose while you pivot around to facehim. Say “Stay” while holding the openpalm of your hand in front of his face. Take astep or two away from your puppy, keeping theleash loose. After a few seconds step back to him,putting one foot on the leash—don’t pull it tootight, just enough to keep him from jumping up.Give your release word, then reward andpraise him.Weimaraner/ Mary Bloom AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 11

If your puppy gets up before you release him, justwalk back calmly without saying anything. Use yourhands to put him back into the sit position, then givethe open-palm hand signal for “Stay” and walk awayagain. Don’t repeat the oral command; it’s importantthat he learns to respond immediately to a singleverbal command.You will gradually increase the distance between you.You can also increase the time he remains in the stay:Three minutes is a good goal to work toward.If your puppy repeatedly breaks the stay, you’regoing too fast.AKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 12

DOWNBegin with him sitting next to you on your left. Kneeldown and place your left hand on his shoulders. Putyour right hand just behind his front legs. Say “Down”while pressing gently on the puppy’s shoulders; at thesame time, scoop his front legs out until he is lyingdown. Stroke his back for a few seconds to encouragehim to relax and stay in that position. Then praise andreward him.Use your release word, let him get up, and praise himagain. Put him back into a sit, then repeat the downcommand.Bull Terrier/Mary Bloom AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 13

If your puppy is extremely shy orfearful, he may freeze in place duringthis exercise. If he is very playful, he maysquirm and not want to lie down.In either case, try this method: Begin asbefore, kneeling beside your sittingpuppy. Put your left hand on his shoulders while holding a treat in your righthand in front of his face. Say “Down” andslowly lower the treat straight down tothe floor between the dog’s paws, thenslowly pull it straight out and away fromhim. (Imagine making an “L” shape.)Once he’s down, praise him andgive him the treat.AKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 14

AND REMEMBER n Train your puppy with mild oral correctionand lots of praise and rewards.Keep training sessions short and fun.End each session on a positive note.nThe “Basic 5” commands will giveyour puppy a strong foundation forany future training.n Chris Amaral/ThinkstockAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA LThe Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 15

TH E AM ER ICAN KE NNE L C LUBWHO AND WHAT WE ARE:The AKC is a not-for-profit organization and the largestpurebred dog registry in the world. We are thesports-governing body for over 22,000 dog events a year,including conformation (dog shows) and exciting sports likeagility, obedience, rally, tracking, lure coursing, earthdog,herding trials, among others.

TH E AM ER ICAN KE NNE L C LUBBut the AKC is so much more! Here are just some of the ways we support and enrich the lives of dogs—purebreds andmixed-breeds alike—and their families. We:nCreated the AKC Humane Fund, which supports breeddonated over 24 million to the CHF. (The AKC is the onlyrescue activities, assists shelters that permit domestic-abuseregistry that incorporates health-screening results into its per-victims to bring their pets, and educates dog lovers about re-manent dog records.)sponsible dog ownership.nnOffer the Canine Good Citizen program: A 10-step testthat certifies dogs who have good manners at home and inConduct thousands of kennel inspections annually to mon-itor care and conditions at kennels across the country andensure the integrity of the AKC registry.their community. Over 725,000 dogs across the United StatesOffer the largest, most comprehensive set of DNA programshave become Canine Good Citizens , and 42 states have passednresolutions recognizing the program’s merit and importance.for parentage verification and genetic identity to ensure reliable registration records.nFounded AKC Reunite, which has brought more than 400,000lost pets back together with their owners.nSupport one of the world’s largest collections of dog-relatedfine art and artifacts at the AKC Museum of the Dog, and wenCreated the AKC Canine Health Foundation, which fundsresearch projects and clinical studies. Since 1995 the AKC hashave the world’s largest dog library at AKC headquarters inNew York, both of which are open to the public.

TH E AM ER ICAN KE NNE L C LUBTHANK YOU FOR READING!We hope this information was valuable to you in helping your puppy live a long, healthy, happy life. Below, find additionalbooks in our Owner’s Manual series designed to strengthen the bond between you and your furry family member.5 TRICKS TOSHOW OFFCANINE BODYLANGUAGECANINE GOODCITIZENAGILITY FORBEGINNERSPUPPY NUTRITIONHOW TO CRATETRAIN YOUR DOGFIRST AIDFOR DOGSSELECTING A PUPPY5 BASIC COMMANDSLIFE WITH ASENIOR DOGWHY DOES MY DOGDO THAT?RESPONSIBLE DOGOWNER TIPSWHAT’S HE THINKING?PUPPYSOCIALIZATION

AK WNER’ AL The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know 6 If your puppy doesn’t come to you, go slowly to him, attach his leash, then guide him to the spot where you called him. Praise him the entire time you’re leading him. This shows him