Essential German Commands for Effective Dog Training

German is among the top languages used for dog training, alongside French, English, Czech, and Dutch. Known as “Hundekommandos,” these commands are effective for all breeds, whether you’re working with playful Affenpinschers or skilled hunting dogs like the Westphalian Dachsbracke. Join us as we explore a comprehensive list of essential dog commands, including basics like sit, stay, and fetch.

Why use German dog-training commands?

Training dogs in German has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. It was during this time that the German army first began training German shepherds for important roles in battlefield operations and police work. This tradition has since continued, highlighting the effectiveness of German commands in canine training.

Why consider training your dog in a different language, like German? There are several intriguing reasons to explore this approach. One practical advantage is that in an English-speaking setting, using German commands can help prevent your dog from confusing everyday conversations with training cues. This clarity can enhance communication between you and your furry friend, making training more effective.

If you’re teaching yourself German, training your dog in the language can be a fantastic way to practice regularly. By using simple German words and phrases when communicating with your dog, you can enhance your pronunciation skills in a relaxed setting, free from the pressure of being judged.

A German dog-commands dictionary

We’ve divided these up by category to help you find the commands you need.

General German dog commands

Komm (Come)/Hier (Here)

Better than beckoning, these commands will bring your wandering pup back to you.

Sitz (Sit)

Pronounced very much like the English word “zits,” sitz will get your dog’s Hinterbacke (haunches) to the Boden (ground).

Platz (Down)

Although Platz can refer to a “seat” in German, it’s actually a command for getting your dog to lie down.

Lauf (Run)

This command comes from laufen, which can mean either “run” or “walk” in German.

Halt (Stop)

Use this if your dog is running too far ahead.

Steh (Stay)

Use this command to keep your dog safe from traffic and other dangers. You can also use “warte” (which means “wait” in German) for a quick pause. Both commands effectively signal your dog to stop and stay alert.

Raus (Outside)

This command will get your dog headed for the nearest exit.

Komm Rein (Come in)

You can use this when it’s time to bring your dog back inside.

Frei (Free)

When your dog hears frei (free), it’s time to relax out of a stand, sit, or other command.

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Walking together

Bei Fuß (Heel)

Instead of saying Ferse (heel), the German version of this command uses Fuß (foot).

You can also simply say Fuß.

Voraus (Get in front)

This would be the opposite of bei Fuß (heel).

Los (Go)

Not to be confused with Was ist los? (What’s wrong?), this is more like Los geht’s (Let’s go).

Schneller (Faster)

Langsam (Slow)

If your dog is racing ahead, this is the command you need.

Bleib (Remain in position)

Use bleib when you want your dog to hang out in the same spot for a while.

Vorwärts (Forward)

This is pronounced much like its English translation, except the w in German would sound like an English v.

Weiter (Further; Next)

If your dog is stopping to smell too many fire hydrants, this tells them to “move along.”

Links (Left)

Rechts (Right)

Speaking and staying silent

Gib Laut (Speak)

This elicits a single bark.

Heule (Howl)

Even if there’s no full moon around, you can still tell your dog to let it all out.

Ruhig (Quiet)

A shorter way to say this is Aus (End).

Tracking and fetching

Schnüffel (Sniff)

Start your dog on the scent of a fetching adventure with this command.

Hol/Apport (Fetch)

Hol comes from the German verb holen (to fetch). Apport comes from the French word apporter (to bring).

Hol Stöckchen (fetch the stick)

Use this command when you want your pooch to help out with the yard work.

Gib (Give)/Aus (Loose; Drop)

Once your dog has retrieved the wanted object, these commands say, “Drop it!”

Taming bad behavior

Nein! (No!)

Short and simple, this command should stop misbehavior in its tracks.

Pfui (Yuck!)

Sounding somewhat like “phooey” in English, this tells your dog that their fascinating find is doggone disgusting.

Genug! (Enough!)

Utilize this command to swiftly interrupt your dog’s ongoing activity or to address unruly behavior. To enhance its effectiveness, pair the command with a hand-crossing gesture, which will help reinforce your message and improve your dog’s understanding.

Taking care of business

Mach Pipi (Make pee-pee)

This command does more than streamline your morning routine; it can be a lifesaver. Take, for instance, a remarkable incident during the Blitz in 1941, when a Great Dane named Juliana used her built-in fire extinguisher to extinguish a flaming bomb, saving a London family from disaster.

Mach Geschäft (Do business)

In English, we might say, “Do your duty.”

Fun dog tricks

Gib Pfötchen (Give paw/Shake hands)

Gib fünf (Give five)

Give your furry friend a high five! Just like us, dogs have five digits on their front paws, including unique digits known as dewclaws, which function like thumbs.

Hopp (Jump)

Why should Kaninchen (rabbits) have all the fun?

Rolle (Roll over)

Let your puppy practice this one on a nice, soft patch of grass.

Versteck dich (Hide)

Start a game of Versteckspiel (hide-and-seek) with your dog.

Schwimm (Swim)

Whether you’re at the Schwimmbad (swimming pool) or the Strand (beach), your best friend will do the doggy paddle.

Aufräumen (Put away/Tidy up)

Teach your dog to tidy up by putting away his rubber bone and chew toy with this simple command. If only we could inspire our kids to clean their rooms with the same ease!

Praises, treats, and rest

Braver Hund (Good dog)

The word brav means “well-behaved” or “good.” It’s also used to encourage small children to behave.

Bravo (Well done)

When it comes to dog training, well-timed praise reinforces good behavior and leads to success.

Leckerli (Treat)

Of course, well-timed treats can also improve your dog’s training experience. A Leckerli is literally translated as a “little tasty.”

Beruhig (Relax; Calm down)

This comes from the same root as the word Ruhe (peace).

Gib Küsschen (Kiss)

Get a wet and wonderful little peck on the cheek from your furry friend.

Kuschelzeit (Snuggle time)

This is a favorite time of day for both puppies and people.

Geh ins Bett (Get in the bed)

You can also simply say, ins Bett (in the bed).

Geh schlafen (go to sleep)

Let your dog drift off to sweet dreams after a day of training.

Fun facts about German dogs

As a bonus, here are a few interesting tidbits about Deutsche Hunde (German dogs).

10 top dog breeds from Germany

As the popularity of cats rises in Germany, the country remains globally celebrated for its exceptional dog breeds. Below, we highlight some of the most distinguished breeds that originated in Germany, complete with links to detailed breed profiles for those eager to explore more about each one:

Mutt misnomers

A few German-origin breeds have misleading names.

• Despite its name, the Great Dane originated in Germany, not Denmark. By 1880, it was referred to as the Deutsche Dogge, or German Mastiff. Chancellor Otto von Bismarck famously called his Great Danes Reichshunde, meaning “dogs of the Empire.”
• The American Eskimo Dog, known as the Amerikanischer Eskimohund in German, was originally bred in Germany for property protection. Its name changed to “American” during World War I. In the mid-20th century, this breed gained fame for its circus performances, showcasing skills like tightrope walking.
• Although famously thought of as French, poodles are water dogs with a German-derived name. (In Low German, Pudel means “puddle.”)

Some breeds have German names that reference other animals. These include the Affenpinscher (monkey pinscher) and the Löwchen (little lion) dogs.

Popular dog names in Germany

If you’ve just welcomed a new furry friend into your home, consider choosing a German name to complement their German dog commands. According to Planet Hund, here are the top ten male and female dog names in Germany for 2024:

Final tips for learning German dog commands

Training your dog using German commands not only reinforces their learning through repetition but also enhances your language skills. To improve your pronunciation of these German Hundekommandos, try discussing your pets with a conversation partner. Additionally, to deepen your understanding of the German language and culture, consider working with a tutor who aligns with your learning style. With personalized, one-on-one online lessons, you can conveniently learn German at a time that suits you best.