What are the Hardest Training Commands to Teach a Dog?
In training dogs, some commands are more challenging to teach than others. For example, police dogs learn commands in German. This stops anyone else from accidentally giving them orders. Also, starting training early in a dog’s life makes it easier for them to pick up these authoritarian commands. Using simple language and starting early are key. It’s much like teaching a child where building a strong foundation early on can help as they grow.
Why Do Police Dogs Know German?
Police dogs often learn German commands to avoid confusion. This way, orders from people around don’t mess with the dog’s job during operations. It keeps things clear and compelling when managing highly trained K9 units.
Many police dogs, like German Shepherds, come from Germany. They were first trained in German, and this practice stuck because it works well. German sounds sharp and transparent, making it great for training dogs to react quickly and accurately. Also, using a less familiar language helps prevent people who aren’t handlers from giving commands accidentally. This ensures the dog listens to its handler only, which is crucial in police work where control and quick, correct responses are key.
Basic commands
| English | German | IPA | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sit | Sitz | [zɪts] | Instructs the dog to sit and stay in a seated position. |
| Stay | Bleib | [blaɪ̯p] | Commands the dog to remain in its current position until further instruction. |
| Good job | Bravo | [ˈbʁaːvoː] | Used to praise the dog, reinforcing positive behavior. |
| Good dog | Braver Hund | [ˈbʁaːfɐ ˈhʊnt] | General praise to make tails wag. |
| Shake hands | Gib Pfote | [ɡɪp ˈpfɔːtə] | Encourages the dog to raise a paw and “shake hands.” |
| Drop, Drop it | Aus | [aʊ̯s] | Commands the dog to release an object from its mouth. |
| Heel | Bei Fuß | [baɪ̯ ˈfuːs] | Instructs the dog to walk directly next to the owner. |
| Come | Komm | [kɔm] | Calls the dog to return or follow. |
| Here | Hier | [hiːɐ] | Similar to “Come,” instructing the dog to approach. |
| Go | Los | [loːs] | Gives the dog permission to move or run. |
| Down | Platz | [plats] | Commands the dog to lay down. |
| Stand | Steh | [ʃteː] | Asks the dog to stand up from sitting or lying. |
| Roll over | Rolle | [ʁɔlə] | Instructs the dog to roll over and stand up. |
| Fetch | Hol | [hoːl] | Tells the dog to retrieve an object. |
| Fetch the stick | Hol Stöckchen | [hoːl ˈʃtœkçən] | Commands the dog to fetch a stick. |
| Speak | Gib Laut | [ɡɪp laʊ̯t] | Encourages the dog to bark or make noise. |
| Jump | Hopp | [hɔp] | Instructs the dog to leap over an obstacle or jump. |
| Run | Lauf | [laʊ̯f] | Encourages the dog to run freely. |
| No | Nein | [naɪ̯n] | Used to discourage unwanted behavior. |
| Stop | Halt | [halt] | Commands the dog to stop any action immediately. |
| Slow | Langsam | [ˈlaŋzam] | Instructs the dog to reduce speed. |
| Faster | Schneller | [ˈʃnɛlɐ] | Encourages the dog to increase speed. |
| Straight ahead | Geradeaus | [ɡəˈʁaːtəˌʔaʊ̯s] | Directs the dog to move forward. |
| Right | Rechts | [ʁɛçts] | Tells the dog to go right. |
| Left | Links | [lɪŋks] | Tells the dog to go left. |
| Wait | Warte | [ˈvaʁtə] | Instructs the dog to wait for the owner. |
| Onwards | Vorwärts | [ˈfoːɐ̯vɛʁts] | Tells the dog to continue moving forward. |
Also Read This – Bonjour! The Best Ways to Say Good Morning in French
What is the Best Age to Train a Dog?
Training dogs should start when they’re about 8 to 12 weeks old. This is a key time for them to learn and get used to others. Starting early helps them pick up good behaviors and avoid bad ones. As they grow, puppies can handle simple commands, but the tougher ones should wait. They need time to be able to pay attention longer and understand better.
Commands like “stay” or “come,” which are a bit more complicated, need a lot of practice. Remember, every dog is different. Their nature and how fast they learn play a big part in how you train them. It’s essential to keep that in mind and go at a pace that suits your dog.
Best Dog Commands In German
Choosing the best German dog commands can improve how you train your dog. It makes sure you both understand each other well and get good results. Starting with “Sitz” (sit) is key. It’s the base for all the training that comes after. “Bleib” (stay) is crucial too. It keeps your dog put until you say otherwise, which is handy in many situations.
Then, there’s “Komm” (come). It’s a must-have for getting your dog to come back to you when you call. “Platz” (down) is great for getting your dog to lie down, which can help calm a hyper or nervous dog.
“Fuß” (heel) teaches your dog to walk nicely beside you without tugging at the leash. That makes walks much more enjoyable.
For the more advanced stuff, “Bring” (fetch) and “Such” (search) tap into your dog’s natural drives and can be fun or useful.
“Aus” (out) is crucial too. It tells your dog to let go of whatever’s in its mouth. This is a big deal for keeping playtime safe and ensuring training goes smoothly. If you use these commands correctly, you’ll have a well-trained dog on your hands.
| English | German | IPA | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give a little kiss | Gib Küsschen | [ɡɪp ˈkʏsçən] | To let your dog “kiss” your hand or lick your face if desired. |
| Dance | Tanz | [tants] | A playful way to ask your dog to stand on their hind legs. |
| Twirl | Dreh dich | [dʁeː dɪç] | Ask your dog to spin around, great for dance routines. |
| Swim | Schwimm | [ʃvɪm] | Useful command when taking your dog to swim at the beach or lake. |
| Crawl | Kriech | [kʁiːç] | Helps your dog crawl under fences or obstacles. |
| Hide | Versteck dich | [fɛɐ̯ˈʃtɛk dɪç] | Play hide-and-seek with your dog. |
| Angel, angel, fly | Engelchen, Engelchen, flieg | [ˈɛŋəlçən ˈɛŋəlçən fliːk] | Phrase used to mimic flying while lifting the dog in the air, adapted from a children’s game. |
| Where’s your ball? | Wo ist dein Ball? | [voː ɪst daɪ̯n bal] | Encourages your dog to search for their ball. |
| Where’s your tail? | Wo ist dein Schwanz? | [voː ɪst daɪ̯n ʃvant͡s] | Encourages your dog to chase their tail for fun. |
| Cuddle time | Kuschelzeit | [ˈkʊʃəlˌtsaɪ̯t] | Lets your dog know you’re ready for cuddles. |
| Treat | Leckerli | [ˈlɛkɐli] | A favorite word for dogs, used before giving them treats. |
| Urgh | Pfui | [pfʊɪ̯] | Discourages your dog from engaging with dirt or unpleasant things. |
| Sniff | Schnüffel | [ˈʃnʏfəl] | Encourages your dog to explore a scent or slow down to enjoy sniffing. |
| Howl | Heule | [ˈhɔɪ̯lə] | Encourages your dog to howl like a wolf. |
| Sleep | Schlaf | [ʃlaf] | A calming command to help your dog settle down or rest. |
Common Misconception: Dogs And Language
Many people think dogs understand languages like English or German but tune into the tone and way commands are given, not the words themselves.
Dogs are good at noticing how we say things and our body language. When training, it’s more about how consistently you give commands than the words you use. So, a dog trained in German doesn’t know German. They recognize the sounds and how they’re said.
Dogs are also great at picking up on small changes in how we act and the tone of our voice. For instance, a strong, firm tone might mean it’s time to be serious, while a happy tone could be for praise or fun commands. This helps them figure out what to do in different situations by listening to how things sound, not by understanding the language.
Conclusion
Using German commands in dog training has clear benefits. These commands stand out because of their unique sounds, making them less likely to be misunderstood, especially in stressful situations. This clarity is crucial for training dogs that work in demanding environments. Also, since the commands are in German, there’s less chance that a random bystander might accidentally give an order that the dog follows. This makes the communication between the dog and its handler more effective.
