How many commands does your dog know? If he doesn't know these life-saving commands, you may want to consider teaching them to him. The last thing you want to happen is for him to be in harm's way and not listen to you when you need him to! Learn these commands and save your dog's life!

We all love to teach our dogs tricks. Some are frivolous like “play dead” and some are important, like going potty only when outdoors. Not every trick will be necessary for your particular pooch and you might have your own customized tricks created to keep your dog safe — after all our dogs are individuals and our relationships with them are multi-layered.

Stay

This one is a bit redundant. After all, if you put a dog in a sit or down position, then he shouldn't need a “stay” command since he should remain in a sit or down until released. But the “stay” command works kind of like a security blanket for both owner and dog — this way everyone knows that the expectation is that the dog isn't going to move for a while, no matter where you are located, even if that means you are out of sight.

Your name is the most exciting word in the world

Teaching a dog to love his name sets the foundation for everything else in your relationship as it creates a level of trust as well as willingness to learn more tricks. And it can also be a lifesaver when out and about. For instance, if a dog is reactive to other dogs while on leash and his attention begins to zero in on a dog walking toward you on the street, you can say your dog's name to bring his attention back to you. You can give him other commands or treats until the other dog has passed. You now have an invaluable tool that can be used in situations from busy streets to chaotic dog parks to finding a dog that has wandered off out of sight.

Focus

If you have a dog that is prone to making independent (and stupid) decisions unless you're really paying attention, then a “focus” command is a good trick to have at the ready. Focus” helps your dog know that he can zone out everything else going on around him (even that mean dog) because you're the only thing important right now and you'll handle the rest.

Leave it

A solid “leave it” command works for keeping your dog from exploring dangerous objects — even other wildlife you come across on walks or hikes — or getting too close to an object or situation that could harm him. Bonus: This is a great foundational command for teaching your dog other fun tricks like balancing treats on his nose or even as part of the process to train him not to jump on people.

Sit at street corners

The curb can become a “cue” for a dog to sit. By teaching a dog to automatically sit when he reaches a curb, you'll lower the chances that he will trot into the street when a car is coming. Keep in mind, though, that this is a tough trick for a dog to learn, and one you may have to work at for a long time. But if your dog has the personality to master this trick, it can be a real lifesaver.

Don't take candy from strangers

It's sad to say, but you can't always trust that someone has good intentions when giving your dog a treat. There are horror stories of people handing out poisoned “treats” to dogs. But we don't have to be as extreme as that in understanding why passing up food from strangers is a smart trick for your dog to learn. This also works for dogs that have food allergies and you don't want some random person at the dog park feeding them something that'll cause a reaction.

Well, that seems pretty simple, doesn't it? Teaching your pooch some simple tricks can help keep him safe and give you peace of mind. Telling him to stop when there's another dog in the distance who may be dangerous or to sit and wait for you while you run into the store is not only useful, but it'll keep him safe.

With a little patience and plenty of treats, your pooch can learn these important tricks in no time! For more information on tricks on commands, visit Mother Nature Network.