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Dog training simple commands work the best. Complex commands are harder for dogs or especially puppies to understand. If you go to an obedience training class, this point will be made, but it can still be a while till you really have the habit down.

For example, instead of just saying “sit” when that is what they want their dog to do, often people will repeat the command two or three times. Or they may go into a little speech like “Sit… I said sit…. you did it yesterday, come on, now!” This does not really get the obedience training any further down the road.

By using short, simple one-syllable commands in your training, you are creating a habit of response in the dog. Canine behavior is quite habit-based… actually, so is a lot of human behavior! When you use simple words with a dog or puppy, the words are much more recognizable as communication than if the animal has to figure out what you mean from a flow of language.

We do all know that dogs are prone to noticing words they recognize when you are talking with another person. Let’s say that you ask your partner, “Honey, would you mind taking Buddy for his walk? I’m so tired!” Chances are high that Buddy’s tail will start wagging as he hears his own name and that word dogs love so much, “walk.”

So use one-word, easily pronounced commands — which, by the way, are also sometimes called cue words. That expression gets away from the idea that you have to be the boss and the dog has to obey! While there are certainly times that do call for obedience, such as when you need the dog to come rather than go into the street, by and large the best dog training evokes willing compliance from the dog.

When you are teaching your new puppy, do use simple terms like come, sit, stay, and down. These are time-tested training commands that work well.

By the way, since “down” means something like “Get onto the floor,” what do you say when your dog is jumping up on people and you want him to stop? A good word is “off.”

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