How to Increase a Dog's Vocabulary

Dogs can learn simple words beyond the ubiquitous "no" and "sit." Expanding your dog's vocabulary will enable her to understand more clearly how you want her to behave.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Biscuits And Treats
• Dog Toys
• Dog Training Leashes/collars
• Dog Treats
• Flying Discs
• Tennis Balls

1. Keep in mind that dogs learn through repetition.

2. Be consistent with the words or phrases you use for specific behaviors.

3. Reserve "no" for critical situations only, such as telling your dog not to eat something off the ground. Too often, a dog will begin to think his name is "No."

4. Begin to attach other words to "no," such as "no more ball" or "no more play."

5. Use a normal voice when training your dog. If you say "Sit, sit, sit, SIT!" you'll train your dog to sit only after she hears the word three times followed by a loud "SIT!"

6. Give the "stay" command only when you're sure you want the dog to freeze. If you tell your dog to stay as you walk out the door, you're teaching her a different use for the word. In an emergency, the dog won't understand what you mean.

7. Teach "wait" as a more relaxed command. "Wait" allows your dog to move around in a general area.

8. Be sure to teach your dog a release command such as "OK" or "free," especially if you've taught the dog "stay."

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid raising your voice when teaching a dog new commands or saying "No!"; dogs are sensitive to noise.

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on 4/8/2008 My doggie knows a hell lot of commands. She knows what cat and crow mean (mortal enemy), she knows what "Get off", "Let's go", "Park", "Dad's home", "Hello"/"Paw", "Bath time", "Shut up" and "Bed-time" mean. Strangely though, she only listens to me. Not my dad, my mom, or my sis. Just me. Weird, huh?

on 11/22/2005 I don't remember where or how this one started, but it enabled two way communication. If my dog was trying to convey something to me, I would offer the "Show Me" command and follow him to whatever it was he wanted. It's the best command my dog ever taught me. :)

on 11/22/2005 Your dog will learn the command faster with repetition. Once your dog has successfully completed a command, instead of simply saying "Good girl," say "Good sit," "Good down," or "Good shake."

on 11/22/2005 Do not use your dog's name in corrections. His name and the COME command should only be used in pleasant situations and mean "come and be praised." Never call your dog to you for a correction. Use only the minimum correction necessary.

on 11/22/2005 Linking a hand gesture with a verbal command is very useful - for example, pointing down for "sit." We find this combination helped train our dog quickly and now we can use the hand motions when the dog can't hear us.