There's no doubt about it, important commands could save your pup's life. Teaching him how to sit at every street corner is just one example of a command that will keep him safe. Have him sit before you cross each street and he'll stay out of harm's way and probably keep you safe too!

Does your pooch come when you call? Having an obedient pooch isn't about tricks; it's about knowing how he'll respond in an emergency situation or when he's near a busy street.

Sit

“Sit” is one of the most basic tricks we can teach our dogs. When a dog is in a “sit” position, he knows he is meant to stay sitting until you say otherwise.

Lie Down

The “lie down” trick is another way to have your dog stay in one place and out of trouble. Teaching your dog to lie down — especially if you teach him to drop to a down position when you signal from far away — can go a long way in keeping him out of trouble. Both the sit and lie down commands are excellent for bringing a boisterous dog back down to earth before a situation escalates out of control — such as when other dogs are around that might spark a fight, small children might get hurt, or other attention-grabbers pull your dog's focus away from you.

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.

Come

This trick is rather obvious. After all, knowing that your dog will return to your side without fail in any situation is a big part of ensuring he will be safe. But getting that “rocket recall” can be tough. When a dog is distracted, or knows that you are much more boring than whatever trouble he is getting into, then getting him to come when called is a challenge. There are different ways to approach it, depending on a dog's personality, but the best way to make sure your dog beelines back to you when you call is to give him the most amazing treat he can possibly imagine every time he comes back to your side.

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.

Sit At Street Corners

Some dogs just don't get that streets are dangerous places. Why would they? Streets and the traffic on them are human inventions, and probably seem arbitrary to a dog. But even if your dog doesn't know that streets are dangerous, he can learn that the spot where a street and sidewalk meet is a place where treats are earned.

Leave it

If you don't want your dog getting into something that could kill him, “leave it” is a must-know trick. 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. After all, food isn't the only thing the “leave it” command can apply to!

Drop it

If you've ever had a dog that eats anything and everything he finds, the “drop it” command can be a lifesaver if you find he has scooped up something unsavory or flat-out dangerous. To avoid stomachaches or worse, you'll want to teach your dog to want to drop something from his mouth the moment you tell him to.

Wait

But I've found that the “wait” trick is a nice middle ground, used when I just want him to stop and pause for a moment before we move on. It's a perfect trick for off-leash walking when you want your dog to pause before you turn a blind corner and aren't sure what's headed your way.

Heel

When your dog is off leash or without a collar and you need him to move along with you somewhere, the “heel” command is a must to keep him safely by your side. It's also a good command even while on leash when you're moving through large crowds or in areas with construction or similar danger zones.

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. This is simply a trick that tells the dog, “Ignore everything in the world except me right now.” It is ideal for situations that could get a nervous dog too amped up — such as when walking past other dogs that are giving him the stink eye. “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.

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.

If your pooch is in need of some training, it's never too late to start. You can begin with the basics like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” and take it from there. That way when you're on a walk, at the dog park, or socializing with friends your pup will know exactly what you want him to do. That last thing you want is your beloved furry friend to get hurt, and training him the right commands will ensure that he stays safe. Check out more training tips on mother nature network.