How to Teach Your Dog Spanish

Did you know dogs can be bilingual too? Whether you have a new puppy or there are tricks you still haven't taught your older dog, it is not too late to offer commands in Spanish. This will impress and befuddle friends and neighbors. Voicing commands in Spanish can also give daily repetitive practice to your children, if you would like to emphasize second language learning in your home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knowledge of basic Spanish commands
• Ability to train your dog

1. Teach your dog to "come" in a more interesting fashion. "Ven" (pronounced BEN) or the formal but also popular "venga" (BAYN-ga) would be the Spanish alternatives for your dog to recognize. Choose only one of these, then use it consistently.

2. Train your dog to sit with the command "Sientate!" (SYEN-tah-teh) This is the familiar command. Although longer than "sit," this is not a problem. Dogs all over the Spanish-speaking world respond to "Sientate!"

3. Tell your dog to go up or down with the commands "Arriba!" (ah-REE-ba) or "Abajo!" (ah-BAH-ho) "Abajo" is most practical when you would like your dog to get off the couch.

4. Train to shake a pay by firmly repeating the command "Dame la mano!" (DAH me lah MAH-no), literally "Give me your hand". Again, this takes longer to say than "shake," but will not be a problem for your dog.

Tips & Warnings

• It is OK to have certain commands in English and certain commands in Spanish, as long as you are consistent with their use. If you don't confuse them with different words for the same action, dogs are like babies or small children; they can handle language easily.