How to Train a Dog German Commands

1. Sitz (sit)

To train your dog to sit, start by holding a treat in front of its nose and slowly move it upward. As your dog follows the treat, its bottom will naturally lower into a sitting position. Once its bottom is on the ground, say "sitz" and give it the treat. Repeat this exercise several times a day until your dog can sit reliably on command.

2. Platz (down)

To train your dog to lie down, start by having it sit in front of you. Hold a treat close to the ground in front of its nose and slowly move it forward. As your dog follows the treat, its body will naturally lower into a lying down position. Once its belly is on the ground, say "platz" and give it the treat. Repeat this exercise several times a day until your dog can lie down reliably on command.

3. Steh (stand)

To train your dog to stand, start by having it sit in front of you. Give the command "steh" and then gently pull up on its leash or collar. As it stands up, give it a treat. Repeat this exercise several times a day until your dog can stand reliably on command.

4. Komm (come)

To train your dog to come when called, start by standing in a room with your dog. Call its name and then immediately give it a treat. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog learns that coming when called means getting a treat. Once your dog is reliably coming when called, start increasing the distance between you and your dog. Eventually, you should be able to call your dog from any room in the house.

5. Bleib (stay)

To train your dog to stay, start by having it sit in front of you. Give the command "bleib" and then hold your hand up in front of its face. If it stays in place, say "good stay" and give it a treat. Repeat this exercise several times a day until your dog can stay in place for several seconds on command. Once your dog is reliably staying, start increasing the amount of time you ask it to stay.

6. Aus (leave it)

To train your dog to leave something alone, start by placing a treat on the ground in front of it. Give the command "aus" and then gently push its nose away from the treat. If it leaves the treat alone, say "good leave it" and give it a treat. Repeat this exercise several times a day until your dog can reliably leave things alone on command.

7. Fuß (heel)

To train your dog to walk next to you on a leash, start by walking at a slow pace with your dog on a loose leash. Every few steps, give the command "fuß" and gently tug on the leash. If it moves closer to you, say "good heel" and give it a treat. Repeat this exercise several times a day until your dog can walk next to you on a loose leash without pulling.

8. Apport (fetch)

To train your dog to fetch, start by throwing a ball or toy for it to chase. Once it has the object, give the command "apport" and then hold out your hand. If it drops the object at your feet, say "good apport" and give it a treat. Repeat this exercise several times a day until your dog can reliably fetch and return objects on command.

9. Nein (no)

The command "nein" is used to tell your dog that it is doing something wrong. To train your dog to respond to the command "nein," start by saying the word in a firm voice when it is doing something you do not want it to do. For example, if it is chewing on furniture, say "nein" in a firm voice and then remove it from the furniture. You can also use a clicker or other noise-making device to mark the behavior you do not want and then follow it up with the command "nein." Be consistent with your use of the command "nein" and your dog will eventually learn to stop doing things that you do not want it to do.

10. Gut (good)

The command "gut" is used to praise your dog when it does something right. To train your dog to respond to the command "gut," start by saying the word in a cheerful voice when it does something you want it to do. For example, if it sits when you tell it to, say "gut" in a cheerful voice and then give it a treat. You can also use a clicker or other noise-making device to mark the behavior you want and then follow it up with the command "gut." Be consistent with your use of the command "gut" and your dog will eventually learn what you want it to do.