Helpful Commands Your Dog Should Learn Before Traveling
Let’s be real: unruly dogs are no fun. They’re tough to handle and they’re annoying to be around. You should have a well behaved pup. Whether you’re staying in a four star hotel or camping under the stars, it’s important for your dog to put their best paw forward. Here’s a list of commands that are helpful during the day to day, and especially while traveling.
Scroll down to learn the benefits of training your dog before hitting the road, and which commands to use in specific situations.
The Benefits of Training Your Dog Before Traveling
Training is essential whether you’re on the road or at home. And there are plenty benefits, such as:
- Training provides mental stimulation that will keep your dog happy and prevent boredom. Bored dogs get into trouble, so keep those mind work outs coming!
- Training your dog helps you to bond with them. It positively enhances your relationship, making it stronger and more enjoyable.
- A well behaved dog is easier to be around and enjoy, for both you and others. Make sure your dog puts their best paw forward.
Helpful Commands Your Dog Should Learn Before Traveling
Manage unwanted behaviors on the road and teach your dog the following commands:
Sit
Sit is typically the first command people teach their dogs, and with good reason. A sitting dog immediately signifies to others that your dog is a well behaved. If a dog is sitting, they can’t jump, lunge or paw at those around them. It’s a good way to get your dog under control, and force them to settle down. Plus, sit is a gateway command; once your dog has sit down, it’ll be easier to teach them other commands like lay down, stay and wait.
When It’s Useful
- When you’re waiting at the airport (at the gate, on line at security, getting ready to board, etc).
- When you’re eating at a restaurant.
- When in a crowded location.
- When your dog is over excited and needs to calm down.
Stay
Stay is a super important for any traveling dog to learn. It prevents them from getting into sticky situations and keeps them in place when a lot is going on (like in airports or hotel lobbies). It’s a great way to manage your pup’s behavior.
When It’s Useful
- To ensure your dog isn’t underfoot or in the way, especially if you’re in a small space like an RV or hotel room.
- If you need your dog to stay put while you take care of things (checking in, running to grab something, buying a ticket, etc).
- To keep your dog in place and safe in chaotic environments.
Look
The look command helps keep your dog’s attention on you. It’s especially useful among distractions (look, a squirrel!).
Being in control of their focus and diverting your dog’s attention will prevent unwanted behaviors before they start. It’s also a great way to get their attention when learning other commands. Plus, who doesn’t want a pair of cute puppy eyes on them at their command?
When It’s Useful
- When you’re in a chaotic environment.
- When there is a lot of stimulation around (airport, crowded train station, other dogs).
- When you need your dog to focus.
Wait
While wait and stay are similar, the difference can be found in what happens after the command is done.
Stay makes your dog stay put until you return to them, while wait commands your dog remain alert, watching and listening to you for what to do next. It’s like telling your pup to hold on a second or two before you give them the okay.
Wait is perfect for keeping your dog from bolting across the street or out a door. It’s also great come feeding time.
When It’s Useful
- If you need your dog to stay in place for a great photo.
- When exiting and/or entering a vehicle, elevator or building.
- When walking off leash (at a park, etc).
Leave It
The leave it command tells your dog not to pick up something they’re approaching. It’s an especially good command for dogs who are attracted to harmful objects (i.e. unsafe foods) or other people’s things (a baby’s dropped toy, a dirty sock on the ground, etc). It’s a great command for your dog’s general safety, since you don’t want them ingesting harmful objects or destroying items in your hotel.
Pro tip: It’s also useful to teach your pup the drop it command, in case they get to that street meat before you’re able to tell them to leave it
When It’s Useful
- When your dog comes across something interesting on a walk.
- When you enter a hotel room or someone’s home and there are loose items on the floor.
- If your dog finds harmful food on the floor.
Quiet
Here’s the thing about teaching your dog the quiet command: you have to teach them to bark on command first. Teach your dog to speak and once they’ve got that down, you can teach them quiet.
Teaching a yappy dog to be quiet is clutch when traveling. Hotel guests, and those you come across on your travels, won’t want to be around a barking dog, and some might even be scared by them. It can, at best, annoy people around you, and at worst, get you kicked out of a place. Teach your pup to zip it and your neighbor’s ears will thank you.
When It’s Useful
- If you’re staying in a hotel, rental or RV.
- If you’re in a public place of business, like a restaurant or store.
- When you’re on airplanes, buses or trains.
Click here to learn more tips and tricks for traveling with your dog.
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