32 replies to this topic

[Autumn&Molly]

For me, it would have to be "drop it!" I didn't even teach her that one. About 2 weeks after we got her, she took off with a pen. Those first two weeks she was grabbing anything she could get her mouth around. I tried, "give me that" "no" "stop" "put it down" and "spit it out". One day I yelled, "Drop it!" and she did, immediately. Since then I've had to use that command on a few occassions. Most recently when I was opening a bottle of soda, the cap flew out of my hand. She grabbed it immediately and I gave the command and she spit it out. She could have choked on that cap. I guess that's why I consider "drop it!" to be the most important command she knows.

[Angieh]

It's a tie between drop it and leave it.

[BetsyNoodle]

The most important to me, by far, is the "come" command. Murphy once ran out of the door before I could stop him and I was able to call him back before he ran into the street.

[Nikki]

"come" and "stay" I think are the most important. These commands can keep them from danger. I know with some terriers "come" and "stay" can be a little difficult for them to be very reliable.

Edited by Nikki, 03 March 2010 - 05:34 PM.

[jodi0553]

Tried to get come and stay reliable, but they are still not 100%. However, "do you want a treat" is about 99.5% effective at getting the dog to stop whatever he is doing and come. So, sadly, I think "do you want a treat" is my most important command....

[bradl]

"Down" and "Leave it." Except we really have done a terrible job with Leave It.

Edited by bradl, 03 March 2010 - 09:19 PM.
said 'drop' but meant 'leave'

[2crazycairns]

Hmmm this is a tough one. "Leave it" and "drop it" are both commands Gus knows well and I'm very glad of it. As for "stay".....forget it! We've worked like crazy to get that one through to him but he's still just too squirrely to keep his butt still. (Also much too attached to Mom)

"Come" totally depends on what has his attention at the moment. Sometimes he's completely deaf and requires multiple calls to even get his attention. He'll usually come when I finally get it but at times it definitely requires a pretty good treat. "Stop!" also ranks pretty high up there.

Good question!

[biochembelle]

"Drop it" and "stay." Kenna is terrible about "come," so we rely on "stay." She just mastered "stay" in the last couple of months, and still, you have to say it like you really mean it or else she plays deaf. At least it freezes her in place so you can actually catch her. Otherwise, it's hopeless. She's always been pretty good at "drop it," which is a real lifesaver, especially if you've ever dropped a pill on the floor. Speaking of which, why is it that they always want to eat human pills but we have to hide dog pills in peanut butter or cheese to get them to eat it? One of the great mysteries of life, I suppose.

[Marci8903]

Drop it and NO lol! Seems like we say them a lot!

[OzGirl]

I wish it was "come" but they only do that one selectively, so the next most important is "leave it" and they usually will obey that one.

[mattoleriver]

Get off the stove!

[Tracy A.]

"cookie" "Hamburger" "ride in the car"
If either dog gets loose, I know just "come" isn't going to work... but "want to go for a ride in the CAR and get a HAMBURGER" will result in little dog running to the passanger side of my car and jumping into the open door.
"Come Cookie" will result in little dog comming to me....

[Hawkeye]

"Come" and "no". I would like to add "leave it" but he's not jumping on that command too quickly.

[bradl]

"Pants!"

That means to stop moving for a moment so I can put on or take off Haggis' cummerbund.

[Zekey's Mom]

Now Brad, we've GOT to see a photo of that!