Dogs, as is well known, are man’s best friend. Dogs enrich our lives, shower us with unconditional love and loyalty, and guard and protect our homes. A dog in the house improves feelings of positivity, health and reduces stress amongst the family members.

A well-trained dog is a delight to the whole family. A neglected or an untrained dog can bring as much havoc in your life, as a trained dog can bring happiness. Dogs are incredibly intelligent animals and can pick up instructions very easily and quickly. Studies have shown that dog brains can process language just like humans, and they can detect the tone and emotion behind human words and body language.

When you are travelling with your dog, or when you are out walking with your dog in public, it helps if your pup can recognise and obey these five basic commands. These are the most often used commands and will go a long in helping your pet stay safe and well-behaved when in public, or in the care of others. Remember to use humane and compassionate methods while training your new puppy or rescue dog.

• Sit The first command most canine trainers teach a puppy is to sit because it is one of the most natural instructions to learn. The sit command is important because it is also a transition command, and you can teach your puppy other skills after he or she has mastered the sit command. It is simple to teach your puppy the sit command because sitting comes naturally for most dogs. When your puppy is sitting, they have your full attention, and that is why the sit command is usually the first one every pup learns.
• Come The come command is another useful skill to teach your pet. When your pet is off-leash or playing in the dog park, the come command will have your pup run to you when you call. It is an excellent skill to know, especially in situations where your pet slips off the leash while on a walk. This command is also easy to teach with a lot of positive reinforcements and treats.
• Stay The stay command is a little tricky to learn and needs time and patience to teach. This command is also important for your dog’s safety. When your doggie obeys the stay command, you can be sure he or she won’t run away from you in a stressful situation or dart onto the street if they slip off-leash. The stay command keeps your dog out of places that could be potentially dangerous for them.
• Drop The drop command is an essential skill to know. It protects your pup when he or she has picked up something dangerous or poisonous with their mouth. Use this command when your puppy decides to chew up your favourite sneaker or has stolen something from the kitchen that is not good for them. The drop command has many uses; you can also use this command while playing fetch with your pup. Remember to replace whatever your puppy drops with a treat to reinforce the command.
• Loose leash walking Not all dogs like walking on leash, and it is a skill that sometimes needs to be taught. It is best to work on loose leash walking as soon as your puppy or rescue dog comes home. Loose leash walking is when your doggy walks alongside in a relaxed and comfortable pace. The dog does not pull on the leash while walking and stays with you throughout the walk. Loose leash walking is great for socialisation and exercise and makes the walk fun for both you and your puppy.

There are numerous methods of teaching your dog these essential commands. Different canine experts recommend different ways with the same objective. Remember to use humane methods of training to teach your puppy these skills. With positive reinforcements, heaps of praise and cuddles, and constant practice and patience, you can train your puppy to be a well-behaved and well-adjusted member of your family and travel with ease and comfort.