What command is most important to teach your dog?

The most important command I taught my amstaff/pit Athena is "leave-it." When we go for walks she thinks she can catch squirrels, it use to be birds too until she realized they can fly away, so that command has helped her let it go and keep walking. It has also been helpful with inside issues like when she has something she isn't suppose to have.

 

That sounds like a really nice command :O My mom's miniature Schnauzer used to mess so badly with little critters He would have benefited form learning a command like that. Sadly my mom and I didn't know better back then

 

Homer understands "leave-it", but he often ignores it Usually, when I tell him to leave something, he tries to swallow it as quickly as possible

 

Lol, oh nooooooooooooooooooo! Then that goes to prove he indeed understands that command, lol. He sounds like such a naughty little boy! I hope he is not always successful swallowing stuff!

 

He once found a big piece of old cheese in our garden. I think birds had dropped it there. He was so happy! Of course I didn't want him to eat it, so I told him to leave it, but he ignored me completely and swallowed it

 

Oh nooo!!!! Did he get sick afterwards? I don't like birds to have contact with my dogs, but sometimes that is impossible to avoid. I don't like birds to drink from their bowl either, birds are full of so many germs and diseases. I hope your Homer didn't get sick!

 

Fortunately he didn't get sick, but I remember I was terrified. I heard many stories about people who drop poisoned foods in parks and gardens because they hate dogs. In fact, my neighbor's dog was poisoned a few years ago

 

"No!" I use that one all the time. If they look like they're going to the road, or decide to eat part of my house, and start getting snippy with each other. Its always the first one I try to teach them. And the sooner the better.

 

I think "Come" would be on the top of my list! If my dog obeys that command I think it will eliminate many bad behaviors such as digging, chasing, and eating things that he shouldn't be doing. I am lucky that even in the heat of situations, my Capone still listens to Come and Stay command.

 

I agree with, "wait, stay or stop". They all pretty much serve the same purpose. To stay was probably the most difficult command we had to teach our dogs. They are both very hyper, and they didn't take kindly to it.

 

I would say stay and come. These two commands are essential to get a dog well on track in good manners. Somehow I find I use stay more often.