There are many reasons why you’d want to train your dog using Italian dog commands. The biggest advantage of training a dog in a foreign language is that no one else will be able to issue commands to your dog without your knowledge or permission.
So, how do you train a dog in Italian? The best way to train a dog in Italian, and any other language, is by using positive reinforcement training. Start by teaching your dog to sit, using the Italian word “seduto.” Use treats and a lot of praise to get your dog interested in training and keep the training sessions short and sweet.
Teaching a dog Italian commands can be a fun experience for both you and your pooch. Keep on reading to discover a list of basic dog commands in Italian and to learn what are the advantages of training your pooch in a foreign language.
Why Is It Important to Teach Dogs Basic Italian Commands?
The working dog community has been training their dogs, for years, using foreign languages. Working dogs are often imported to the USA from European countries and some of them are already trained in their native languages.
Continuing to train these dogs in their home language helps them adjust to the new environment faster.
Italian dog commands aren’t as commonly used as Russian dog commands, Hebrew dog commands, or French dog commands. However, using Italian language for training is becoming increasingly popular among dog trainers and owners.
Even if your dog hasn’t been imported from Italy, it can benefit from learning essential dog commands in Italian. Since Italian is markedly different than English, there’s no risk that your pooch will confuse day-to-day interactions as a cue to perform a specific task.
Why Italian Commands?
There are many reasons why owners want to train their dogs in Italian. Using Italian dog commands supports a smoother transition if your dog has been imported from Italy.
The most common reason why people decide to use Italian dog commands is to prevent anyone else from issuing commands to their dogs without permission. In this case, using Italian dog commands can be an effective security precaution.
For example, teaching your dog to bite/attack in Italian will prevent anyone else from issuing these commands to your dog.
The Italian language is becoming increasingly popular among owners looking to train their dogs in a foreign language. Languages such as Italian and French have very distinct vocabularies, tone, and infliction used in their pronunciation.
The good news is that Italian is one of the easiest languages to learn (source). If you decide to train your dog in Italian, you’ll only have to learn basic obedience commands, without mastering sentence structure and grammar.
What are the Primary Italian Dog Commands?
Whether you decide to use English or Italian dog commands, start training your dog from puppyhood.
Dogs can benefit from obedience training in many ways. Dog training provides mental stimulation, builds confidence, and strengthens the bond between the dog and the owner (source).
Here are the most common Italian dog commands that you can start learning with your pooch:
1. Sit – Seduto (Siedi)
The Italian word for sit is “seduto” but you can also use the word “siedi.” Sit is a basic obedience command and one of the first things you are going to teach your dog.
When training your dog to sit, use positive reinforcement training and treats to reward good behavior.
2. Lie Down – Giu
After teaching your dog to sit in Italian you can start training it to lie down on command. Use the Italian word “giu” to get your dog to lie down on the ground on cue.
3. Come Here – Vieni Qui
To train your dog to come here in Italian say “vieni qui.” The “come here” command is probably one of the most important commands you are going to teach to your dog.
Having a reliable recall can save your dog’s life and prevent it from getting into an accident.
4. Stay – Fermo
This is another basic command that can save your dog’s life by stopping it from chasing after squirrels in the dog park and running into traffic. To command your dog to stay use the Italian word “fermo.”
5. Heel -Piede
To train your dog to walk beside you without pulling on its lead use the Italian command “piede.” When using this command your dog is required to keep pace with you, walking when you walk and stopping when you stop.
6. Fetch – Prendilo
Whether you plan to play fetch with your dog, or want to teach them to bring you specific items, use the Italian word “prendilo.” To teach your dog this command, encourage it to go after the item you want it to fetch. Reward your dog after it grabs the item.
7. Leave It – Lascialo
“Leave it” is another basic command that teaches your dog to ignore items, from dropped food to children’s toys. To teach your dog this command, use the word “lascialo.”
8. Quiet – Silenzio
Training a dog to be quiet is a very useful command, especially if you have neighbors close by. When training your dog to be quiet in Italian, use the command “silenzio” and reward your dog with treats as soon as it stops barking.
9. Let’s Go – Andiamo
Let’s go is a basic obedience command that lets your dog know that you’re leaving one location and that it should follow suit. When training your dog this command in Italian, say the word “andiamo.”
10. Attack – Attacco
Training your dog to attack or bite on command can be very handy, especially if it has guard dog training. Use the Italian command “attacco” to train your dog to bite or attack on command.
Benefits of Teaching Dogs Italian Commands
There are several benefits of training your dog in a foreign language. Regardless of where your pooch was born and what is your native language, you can still train them using Italian dog commands.
All types of working dogs, including search and rescue dogs, police dogs, and guide dogs have been trained in foreign languages for many years. The biggest benefits of training your dog in Italian are:
- Training a dog in Italian is a great way to start over and learn a “poisoned cue” without old associations getting in the way.
- You’re unlikely to use Italian dog commands in daily interactions with other people. This will reduce the chance of your dog confusing your interactions with other people as cues for a specific task.
- Learning commands in a different language can be a fun and challenging experience for both you and your dog. This type of training provides mental stimulation for your dog and will also strengthen your bond.
Disadvantages of Teaching Dogs Italian Commands
The advantages of using Italian dog commands are far greater than the potential downsides of this type of training. However, there is one key problem with training your dog in Italian – a lot of people aren’t fluent in Italian.
If you only train your dog using Italian dog commands, other people, including your family and friends may have trouble controlling your dog. Unless they know Italian or at least basic dog commands in Italian.
If you ever need to leave your pooch in a daycare or boarding facility or hire a professional dog sitter, they won’t be able to control and take care of your dog without knowing Italian.
If your dog only understands basic commands like sit, stay, come, down, and heel in Italian, it will be very hard (or impossible) for anyone else but yourself to take care of your dog.
Can Dogs Learn Both English and Italian Commands?
Dogs can learn both English and Italian commands. Studies have shown that dogs can distinguish languages, so you can train your pooch in any language you like the most.
If you decide to train your dog in Italian it’s a good idea that you also teach it some basic commands in English. This way you can leave your pooch with a sitter or take them to daycare or kennel without worrying whether or not the staff knows Italian.
Conclusion
The working dog community and professional trainers have been training dogs for years using foreign languages. Though not as popular as German or French, many dog owners are choosing Italian as a training language for their dogs.
There are many benefits of teaching your dog Italian dog commands. Firstly, no one will be able to issue commands to your dog without your permission. And training your dog using a foreign language is also a great way to start over with a behavior.
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