Vizsla Basic Commands Training
Vizslas are high energy, intelligent, and have an intense love for their owners.
Vizslas are known for their intelligence and trainability. They are quick learners and enjoy working with their owners. Their eagerness to please and desire for attention make them highly receptive to training and commands. This makes them a great breed for first-time dog owners and experienced trainers alike.
Vizslas are the best dogs but they require proper training to ensure they are well-behaved and using all that energy throughout the day. In this video, we cover some basic commands for training your 8-month-old Vizsla.
Any time you see your dog getting into these positions naturally, remember to say the commands 3 times and congratulate them for being in that position already. This is how Willa learned the command Bow.
Sit: This is a basic command that all dogs should know. Start by holding a treat in front of your Vizsla's nose and slowly moving it up and over their head. This will cause them to sit down naturally. Once they are in the sitting position, say “sit” and give them the treat as a reward. Repeat this process until your Vizsla can sit on command without the treat.
Stand: This command is useful for grooming and veterinary exams. Start by placing your hand on your Vizsla's chest and saying "stand". When they stand, reward them with a treat.
Stay: This command is important for keeping your Vizsla safe. Start by telling your Vizsla to sit and then say “stay” while holding up your hand. Walk away a few steps and then return to your Vizsla. If they have stayed in the sitting position, reward them with a treat. Increase the distance as your Vizsla gets better at staying.
Come: This command is essential for recall and is useful in emergency situations. Start by calling your Vizsla's name and then saying “come”. Reward them with a treat when they reach you. Increase the distance and distractions as your Vizsla gets better at coming to you.
Spin: This is a fun and interactive command that your Vizsla will love. Start by holding a treat in front of your Vizsla's nose and then slowly moving it in a circular motion. As your Vizsla follows the treat, they will start to spin. Once they are spinning, say "spin" and reward them with the treat.
Go to Your Bed: This command will help you establish a designated sleeping area for your Vizsla. Start by pointing to their bed and saying "go to your bed". When they go to their bed, reward them with a treat.
Hand Shake: This command is a great way to show off your Vizsla's obedience skills. Start by holding out your hand and saying “handshake”. When your Vizsla touches their paw to your hand, reward them with a treat. Willa knows which paw to shake, based on the hand I use.
High Five: This command is similar to handshake, but involves your Vizsla putting their paw higher up on your hand. Start by holding out your hand and saying "high five". When your Vizsla puts their paw up, reward them with a treat.
Gentle: This command is important for teaching your Vizsla to be gentle when taking treats or playing with toys. Start by giving your Vizsla a treat or toy and saying "gentle". When they take the treat or toy gently, reward them with praise. I now use this term when Willa approaches smaller dogs, so she knows that she can’t play as hard as she does with the older dogs.
Kisses: This fun command will have your Vizsla giving you lots of love and affection. Start by holding a treat near your cheek and saying "kisses". When your Vizsla licks your cheek, reward them with the treat.
Up: This command is useful for getting your Vizsla onto a raised surface such as a bed or couch. Start by pointing to the raised surface and saying "up". When your Vizsla jumps onto the surface, reward them with a treat.
Down: This command is the opposite of "up" and is useful for getting your Vizsla off a raised surface. Start by pointing to the ground and saying "down". When your Vizsla jumps off the raised surface, reward them with a treat.
Training your Vizsla with these basic commands will take time and patience, but it is well worth it. A well-trained Vizsla will be a happier and safer pet for you and your family. If you need help with training your Vizsla, a training video is a great resource.
Vizslas are smart dogs that are eager to please their owners and learn new things. They have a natural desire to work and play, making them the perfect pet for an active and engaged family. Whether you want to train your Vizsla for competition or just for fun, their intelligence and trainability will make the process enjoyable and rewarding.
In conclusion, training your Vizsla with basic commands is an important step in ensuring a happy and safe life for your pet. With a little patience and the right tools, you can easily teach your Vizsla to follow these commands and strengthen your bond with them. Happy training!