17 Words Your Dog Should know
By Octav1
@Octav1 (1419)
Romania
September 8, 2011 7:45am CST
Hello everybody,
I am a dog lover but I don't have a dog of my own right now.
Though, I signed up for a newsletter from a dog trainer, in order to prepare myself for the dog to come. 
This week I received an email about what words a dog should understand. The guy says there are 17 words every dog should understand.
Here is the dog trainer guy's list:
1. Dog's name
2. Sit
3. Down
4. Stand
5. Stay
6. Come
7. Heel
8. Lets go
9. Wait
10. Drop it
11. Leave it
12. Off
13. Jump
14. Speak
15. Quiet
16. Back up
17. release word (break, ok)
I discussed a lot with my friends about this list but I think a dog can live without knowing all those 17 commands.
Now, you who have dogs at home, do you think a dog should know all those commands?
If no, which do you think are the commands a dog must know?
And finally, how many commands does your dog know?
This week I received an email about what words a dog should understand. The guy says there are 17 words every dog should understand.
Here is the dog trainer guy's list:
1. Dog's name
2. Sit
3. Down
4. Stand
5. Stay
6. Come
7. Heel
8. Lets go
9. Wait
10. Drop it
11. Leave it
12. Off
13. Jump
14. Speak
15. Quiet
16. Back up
17. release word (break, ok)
I discussed a lot with my friends about this list but I think a dog can live without knowing all those 17 commands.
Now, you who have dogs at home, do you think a dog should know all those commands?
If no, which do you think are the commands a dog must know?
And finally, how many commands does your dog know?2 people like this
6 responses
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
8 Sep 11
I don't think every dog should know all those 17 commands. But, of course, if they know all those commands (and a few more), they will live a happy life.
I think the most important commands a dog should know are Come (which is the most important commands of all) and NO! (a command that your fellow trainer didn't mention). If a dog knows those two commands they could save the dog's life.
Of course, it is useful to know how to walk nicely by your side and Sit is also useful when you have to calm down your dog. If you live in a crowded community, "Quiet" could also be on the "must know" list.
2 people like this
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
10 Sep 11
Why? 
Let's say your dog is in the doggie park, offleash.
The gate opens and all the dogs are going out in the street. They may be hit by a car, as the nearby road is so crowded!
Don't you think that if you say "NO!" when your dog comes close to the gate and wants to get out, this command will save his life?
Or, assuming that he has already exited the doggie park through the opened gate, if you give him the "Come" command and he executes it right away, doesn't it save his life?
Let's say your dog is in the doggie park, offleash.
The gate opens and all the dogs are going out in the street. They may be hit by a car, as the nearby road is so crowded!
Don't you think that if you say "NO!" when your dog comes close to the gate and wants to get out, this command will save his life?
Or, assuming that he has already exited the doggie park through the opened gate, if you give him the "Come" command and he executes it right away, doesn't it save his life?1 person likes this
@DogsRUsLLCStore (41)
•
8 Sep 11
I have had dogs for many years Stay,Sit,Come & Quiet are the most important I have many nick names for our dogs they know when I am talking to them eye contact. Good luck with your new pet
2 people like this
@DogsRUsLLCStore (41)
•
9 Sep 11
My Scooby Doo who just passed away had a great understanding of the English language
you would have to spell out words that he knew like peoples names or he would think they were coming over to see him.
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
12 Sep 11
Good discussion! I find the word "command" a bit of a misnomer, as I like to have a very personal relationship with my dogs, so I don't like to command them, as I find as the relationship develops, they learn their "parameters"..and like to not be always vocal, and have them understand hand commands. One word, that I have taught all my dogs...is "friend" so when I introduce something or someone new into their world, they understand this being is not a threat to their environment! My current dog, whom is rescue, had a very challenged life before, one of the first words I had him understand was friend, and I happily introduced him to my cat, my chickens..and my rescue sheep. He now looks on them as his "care-for" friends. He is so eager to please, that a look and a gentle hand command--gives him direction. Guess I am strange, as I have lots of conversations with him, and it is so rewarding watching his little ears, eyes, and the tilting of his head, as if he is interested and understands my every word. I really have not thought about the number of commands he knows, I just know that he is wonderful, and seems to know his boundaries! Cheers!
@BeetleBam (171)
• United States
8 Sep 11
A dog will do fine without all 17 words true. But you will find it easier to deal with him the more commands he knows.
2 people like this
Isn't "Stop pissing in my shoes!" a command that is too long? 