Hola! Does your dog speak Spanish or do you want to teach your dog Spanish?
This might seem like an odd question to ask someone who owns a dog, but the situation arises more than you might think. You may live in a Spanish country, adopt a Spanish dog, or simply love the language.
Whatever your reasoning, learning how to say dog commands in Spanish can be a fun and rewarding activity for you and your puppy.
Other articles you might like: Korean Dog Commands and German Dog Commands.
Can Dogs Learn Another Language like Spanish?
Your dog learns language (i.e., commands) just like people do growing up: you absorb what’s around you. If you grew up in a German-speaking household, you learned all of your words in German.
Likewise, a dog trained in a particular language will recognize those commands, especially Spanish.
Dogs learn commands as sounds rather than learning actual words. We all know that your dog cannot comprehend when you speak in sentences to them, but you can teach them to respond to various sounds and words – and that goes for any language around the world.
Studies have also shown that a dog’s brain reacts differently to familiar and unfamiliar languages, suggesting they can tell there’s a difference.
Must-Have Dog Commands in Spanish
Some dog owners take the time to teach their dogs some nifty commands and impressive tricks. If that’s you, that’s awesome!
But today, we’re going to focus on some of the must-have, common dog commands in Spanish and how you can use them to train your Spanish-speaking puppy.
1. No Command: No
We’ll start with a super easy command. It’s so easy that it’s the same in Spanish as in English! The Spanish word for no is simply no.
The “no” command is essential for any pet owner. Dogs need to learn their boundaries, and one of the best ways to teach them this is by giving them a command that lets them know what they’re doing is wrong.
You can also combine the no command with other words to create useful negative commands. For instance, no saltes means no jump.
How to Use The Command
The no command should be one of the first commands you teach your dog. Not only is it important for behavior, but it can also be a critical safety command.
One of the easiest ways to train a dog to understand no is by using treats and associating the command with the action.
Place a treat in your hand and call your dog over. When he sees the treat and begins to go for it, give him a firm no and close your hand. Wait until he stops sniffing your hand to repeat, and do so until he waits for your okay to take the treat.
2. Come Command: Ven Aqui
The Spanish dog command ven aqui means come here. Many Spanish trainers will shorten this command to ven, which is an informal form of the verb venir, meaning “to come.”
This shortened command isn’t all that different from English. Many English-speaking dog owners will shorten the phrase come here to come with their dogs, and many dogs learn both phrases.
The command ven aqui is critical for Spanish dog owners. It tells your dog that you need them to come to you, whether they’re in danger, in trouble, or you just want to see them.
How to Use The Command
Ven aqui works best when your dog already knows the stay command, but it’s not necessary. You can always have someone else hold your dog in place.
Take several steps away from your dog with a treat in your hands. Clap your hands together or slap your thigh as you say their name then, ven aqui or ven in a friendly and inviting tone.
Reward your dog with the treat when they get to you. Repeat as necessary, increasing the distance between you and your dog.
3. Sit Command: Sientate
Everyone knows that a good puppy has to sit before they get a treat. If you want to know how to say sit in Spanish to a dog, it’s sientate.
The “sit” command doesn’t typically have any kind of purpose other than to teach your dog to listen and earn its treats. However, it can be helpful in a “sit-stay” combination command during times when you need your dog to stay put.
How to Use The Command
The best way to teach the sit command, or sientate, is to take 5 to 10 minutes per day to patiently work on it. You can use a treat to make the task simpler.
Hold your dog’s favorite treat above its nose – high enough that it can’t reach, but not too high that it tries to jump.
Slowly move the treat backward toward your dog’s ears. Your dog will follow the movement back, and most dogs will sit down when their head reaches its farthest point. Praise your dog when this happens and immediately give it the treat.
Once your dog begins to sit whenever it sees the treat, you can add the sientate command. You can phase out the motion and even the treat eventually.
4. Quiet Command: Quieto
The stay command is integral for many reasons in the life of a dog owner. Not only does it teach your puppy patience, but it has practical applications.
For instance, you may tell your dog to stay when you open the front door, when there’s another dog nearby, or before crossing the street.
The Spanish command for stay is quieto.
How to Use The Command
Teaching your dog to sientate is a good idea as a precursor for the quieto command. Once your dog knows sientate, you can teach them to stay put.
Start by telling your dog to sientate. Unlike other training techniques, it’s best to pray quieto without a treat in your hand. Otherwise, your dog will want to follow you.
Start simple by having your dog sit for a few seconds before releasing him. We’ll talk a bit more about release words below. Continue to practice this several times, increasing the amount of time before release.
Once your dog has this down, start putting distance between you and your dog. Tell your dog to sientate and quieto and take half a step back. Then release. This is a slow-going process, but eventually, your dog will quieto no matter how far you go!
5. Release Command: Bien/Vete
Any dog that learns to sit or stay needs a release word. The release word indicates that a dog may continue playing or running after following the command. In English, most dog owners will say okay or go.
In Spanish, you can choose whatever word you like. Bien is a common release word that means good or okay. Another great Spanish release word is vete, which means you go.
How to Use The Command
Release words are typically easy to teach a dog. Rather than asking your dog to complete an action, you’re simply telling them it’s okay to stop.
Start by giving your dog a command such as sientate or quieto. After they have completed the command, wait for a second or two, and offer them a treat while saying the release word.
Use bien or vete enthusiastically and encourage your dog to get up. Give them praise once they move.
6. Heel Command: Junto
Learning how to say heel in Spanish is another important step in dog training. Telling a dog to heel means that they should walk alongside you. The Spanish word for heel is junto.
A dog learning how to heel can keep both your dog and other dogs safe while you’re taking them for a walk. Instead of pulling ahead of you, your dog can learn to match your stride and stay by your side, even when there are other dogs or people around.
How to Use The Command
Junto is best to teach a dog while on the leash and in practice. Have your dog sit next to you before you begin moving and reward them with a treat. Begin walking and repeat “junto” as you go, keep the leash taught. Pull it back and up as necessary to direct the dog’s position.
7. Good Dog Command: Buen Perro
As a dog owner who wants to encourage good behavior, it’s essential to know “good dog” in Spanish. The proper phrase is “buen perro.”
Just as it’s vital to reprimand bad behavior, it’s just as important to praise good behavior. Your dog wants to please you so knowing how to tell them they’re doing a good job is a must.
Use buen perro frequently so your dog knows how proud you are of them.
How to Use The Command
Buen perro is less of a command and more of a verbal treat for your dog, so there’s no right or wrong way to use it. Simply say it in an enthusiastic and friendly tone whenever your dog does something good.
Many people like to pair this phrase with petting, kisses, and treats to reinforce the positivity of what it means. Say buen perro during training sessions and throughout your everyday life to praise your puppy in Spanish.
8. Move Command: Sale
Sale is a very common Spanish phrase that you’ll likely hear if you do any traveling and shopping in Latin America. It’s essentially the Spanish word for “shoo,” but it quite literally means “out of here.”
There are plenty of dogs that live on the streets in Latin America, which is why people use sale very often. It’s a good idea to teach your dog this phrase in case you ever need them to get out of your face or leave a situation alone.
How to Use The Command
Many dogs will instinctually pick up on the sale command, especially since it is often paired with a physical sign of some sort. You might teach your dog sale by saying the command then giving him a gentle push out of your way or the room.
Some dogs will respond to the command coupled with a hand wave. Other dogs are not as bright and need further assistance.
Try saying sale, giving your dog a gentle nudge, and throwing a treat or a toy out of the room. Praise your dog when it moves.
Conclusion for Spanish Dog Commands
Spanish-speaking cultures love their dogs just like we do in America. Family dogs are covered in love, shelter, and training – and a typical day for them usually includes a lot of treats and affection.
If you’re from a Spanish household or have adopted a dog from a Spanish-speaking area, these dog commands in Spanish will be very beneficial.
Don’t forget – dogs in shelters come from all over the place, too. If you’re having a difficult time training your dog, perhaps try some commands in Spanish. You never know; that might be what they learned.
Are you still confused about teaching your dog Spanish? Check out this video:
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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