How to Train a Dog with Dutch Commands
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Introduction
Dogs can be taught commands in any language. If you would like to train your dog with Dutch commands, the first thing you will need to know are the commands your dog will learn. You can choose to only speak to your dog in Dutch or you can make him bilingual by training commands in English and Dutch back-to-back or simultaneously. If you would like, your dog can listen to you and his new Dutch commands while other dogs around him will be unable to interfere or perform the trick as well because they may not know the language as your pup does.
Imagine being in a busy place such as your veterinarian's office or even a dog park and giving commands to your dog in Dutch. He won't be distracted by other dogs doing the same tricks because he may be the only dog who understands what you're asking him to do.
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Defining Tasks
Training a dog in Dutch commands is not much different than training your dog using English commands. Your dog will perform tricks and put himself in positions by the command as long as you are training him to do so. Just as you do with English commands, training your dog using Dutch commands will require some patience, scheduled training time, and an idea of what your dog should be doing. Bilingual or foreign language training will condition your dog as you repeat commands and reward for good behavior.
You can train a dog at any age commands in Dutch or any other language. Puppies are fast learners and absorb information quickly. If your dog already knows English commands, it may take a little extra time to retrain the same tricks using a different command.
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Getting Started
Your dog will require lots of tasty treats and some excitement during training sessions. If your little guy already knows English commands and you would like him to know Dutch commands as well, be prepared to retrain the same commands in a different language. If you are teaching your puppy obedience commands for the first time and doing so only in Dutch, you will need quiet training time, treats, and a familiarity with the Dutch commands you want to use.
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The Dutch Commands Method
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Sit
To train in Dutch, you will ask your dog to ‘Zit’ (szit). Lure him into a 'sit' position while using the Dutch command. Get his attention by holding a treat over his head and slowly move it towards the back of his head in a straight line. As he follows it with his nose, he will likely sit down. At this point, say the Dutch command and give the treat. Repeat several times.
Down
To teach down in Dutch, you will say ‘Af’ (auf). Put him in a 'sit' position and then lure him down using a treat. Hold the treat near the floor and pull it away from your dog’s front paws. To get to the treat, he will lie down to get closer. Say the Dutch command and give him the treat as he lies down.
Come
To get your dog to know the command to come in Dutch, you will say Hier (hee-er). Starting with a 'sit' or 'down' position, take a step away from your dog and use the Dutch command. Show him the treat he will earn when he comes to you. As soon as he gets to you, give him the treat.
Stay
To ask your dog to stay in Dutch, you will use the Blijf (blife) command. Again, start with a 'sit' position and use your Dutch command. Take a step away and say the command right away. Unlike the 'come' command, do not let him know you have a treat. If he stays, go back and give him a treat. Practice taking more steps away each time.
Practice
There are many commands you can teach your dog in Dutch. Practice the basic obedience commands and ensure he has those well understood before you move on to new commands. Be sure you are giving him treats each time he performs a task or trick.
The Condition Method
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English first
If your dog knows English commands first, you will need to retrain the same commands in Dutch.
Lure
Lure your dog into the position or the trick you would like him to perform and use the English command he knows.
Completion
As soon as he completes the position, trick, or task, use the Dutch command and then give him the treat he's earned.
Repeat
Repeat this practicing both commands several times. Always use the English command first and the Dutch command as soon as he makes his mark, before giving him the treat.
Phase out English
Once he has completed one command using both English and Dutch words, begin to phase out the English command and only use the Dutch command.
Start with Dutch
Where you were using the English commands before, begin to use the Dutch command. Once your dog masters the trick, give him a treat. Do not repeat the command at the end as you were doing before.
Practice and treat
Keep practicing and offering treats for a job well done. It may take some time for your dog to be conditioned to understand Dutch as well as English.
The Repeat Dutch Method
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Dutch commands
Practice saying all of your Dutch commands to yourself so you are familiar with each word yourself. When you begin to give these commands to your dog, you want to be consistent and pronounce them the same each time.
Start training
Schedule some quiet, short training sessions with your dog and teach one command at a time. If your little guy already knows basic obedience commands you can skip to the next level. If you're starting with basic obedience commands it's always a good idea to start with 'sit' and then move towards 'down'.
Treat lures
It always helps to use a treat to lure your dog into the position or the trick you would like to see.
Dutch command
Be sure your dog hears the Dutch command one time while you're practicing each trick. Repeating the command several times will teach him that he needs to hear it several times before he needs to perform.
Hitting mark
Once your dog hits the mark and performs the trick, give him a tasty treat as a reward.
Practice often
Practice each command often throughout the day until he has that command mastered. Be sure each time you are practicing each trick to only use the command once. Start over every time he hits the mark and earns a treat.
Move on
After he has mastered one command in Dutch move on to the next command. Avoid moving on too quickly. Ensure he masters each command before learning a new one.
Written by Stephanie Plummer
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 04/13/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
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Training Questions and Answers
Rudy
American Bulldog
8 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
We need help getting him to stop jumping on people and our little dog. He’s a APBT and American bulldog mix, he’s already 62 pounds and is definitely gonna be a big boy. Our other dog is only 12 pounds, we’re always having to tell him to stop jumping on our other dog. He doesn’t even let him use the bathroom sometimes. He’s a good dog and is starting to learn in Dutch but he just doesn’t know what the word stop means. We have a shock collar that works pretty well with us only having to have shocked him twice. I want to be able to take him places but he just jumps to much. Thank you.
July 17, 2021
Rudy's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Nia, For Dutch commands, the actual training will be exactly the same as training in English; however, you will simply substitute the English words in the instructions for the Dutch word for that command instead. It sounds like the jumping is due to excitement. If that's the case, and its not aggressive in nature, I would teach a few commands, so that when you correct pup not only understands that the correction was for disobeying your command instead of random, but also has developed the self-control through practice to be able to obey, and has some alternative good behaviors he can do instead of jumping when excited. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Sit - Treat luring method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-sit Jumping - use the step toward method when it's just you and pup isn't on leash. When you have guests or pup is on leash, use the Leash method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump When you teach Out, first use the section on How to Train Out. Once pup understands the command you can use the section on How to Use Out to Deal with Pushiness to enforce Out on behalf of your small dog. I would also practice Leave It proactively with the two dogs with Rudy on a long training leash, so that you can tell Rudy to Leave It when he approaches your smaller dog overly excited, or is about to jump, then you can reel Rudy in with the long training leash when he disobeys. This can be used in combination with the sock collar eventually if needed, but you want pup to understand Leave It and Out, be rewarded if they obey, be physically moved away from the smaller dog using the long training leash - so they understand Leave It = move away, first. If pup is still not obeying and knows all that, then you would use the shock collar in combination with the above, telling pup to Leave It or Out when pestering your other dog, and if pup doesn't obey you would reel them in with the long leash while at the same time correcting with the shock collar, stopping the correction as soon as pup disengages from the small dog, so pup realizes when they feel that correction it means move away from the other dog, and they know they can stop the correction by moving. If you practice with Leave It, Out, and the long leash often enough, you may never need to do that though, especially if pup is also rewarded for calm behavior around your other dog. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
July 19, 2021
Jan
Dutch Shepherd
2 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
What are the meals arranged for the dog throughout the day and how many meals
Jan. 18, 2021
Jan's Owner
Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer
257 Dog owners recommended
Hello. Most people feed their dogs 2 meals per day, spaced about 10-12 hours apart. Morning and evening if that works for your schedule.
Jan. 18, 2021