A well-trained dog will listen to its owner’s voice commands. These commands are particularly useful when your dog is out in the field. For example, if your dog starts chasing an intruder during a walk, they are helpful to control your pup. Otherwise, you’ll have to chase down an out-of-control, aggressive dog. Therefore, any police dog owner should learn these Dutch police dog commands.
Dutch Police Dog Commands
Are you wondering what is the benefit of learning police dog commands in Dutch? Firstly, it can be your native language, and it will be fun to teach your dog. Secondly, English is a very common language and you don’t want criminals to command your dog. Read on to learn more about some commonly used Dutch police dog commands.
Zit
This dog command is used to make your dog ‘sit’. Start the training by bringing a tasty treat by your dog’s nose and let him/her sniff it. Slowly raise the treat above the dog’s head level.
Your pup will try to lift his/her head to get the treat and will sit on the ground in the process. Give your dog the treat as soon as he/she sits. Continue repeating this exercise until your dog understands the command. Once your dog is obeying the command, replace the treat with the verbal command (‘zit’).
Liggen
The Dutch word for ‘Down’ is ‘Liggen’. This command directs your dog to lie down. To begin, keep a treat above your dog’s nose and gradually lower it to the floor. When the dog’s elbows come into contact with the ground, give it the treat.
After a few practice sessions, you can start taking your empty hand to the floor and offering the treat after your dog lays on the floor. Start saying “down” when you move your hand downwards so your dog can associate that word with the action.
Koest
The Dutch police dog command for ‘quiet’ is ‘Koest’. Police dogs need to be disciplined properly, and this includes making them quiet when needed. A police dog that barks excessively may alert criminals. This is why teaching your dog the word “quiet” is crucial.
Bring your dog to a source of barking, such as a doorbell. Place a treat under your dog’s nose and say “quiet” as soon as the doorbell rings. When your dog stops barking, give it the treat. Repeat until the dog no longer barks when ordered to stay quiet.
Blijf
‘Blijf’ is the word you’re looking for if you want to teach your dog the ‘stay’ command in Dutch. When you need your dog to stay put, this command will come in handy. Start by placing your dog in a sitting position and start walking backward. If your dog holds his/her ground, reward him/her with a treat.
Now, tell him/her to sit again, say the word ‘Blijf’, and take a step back. If he/she stays, return to the pup, and give a treat. Increase the time between treats gradually during the training. Likewise, you should start increasing distance until your dog can remain in the sit position for several seconds. Continue to progress in small steps, and your police dog will finally learn to stay in one place.
Rechts/Links
According to AKC, these Dutch words can be used to get your dog to walk alongside you. Get some treats and take your dog for a walk in a large open space or down a corridor. Call your dog’s name and point to the side where you want him/her to walk. Dangle a treat in front of your dog and walk forwards.
After a few repetitions, your dog will start complying with your instructions. This is the time to introduce the appropriate command. ‘Rechts’ if you want your dog to walk on ‘right’ and ‘links’ for walking on left.
Hier
This command can be used to direct your dog’s attention to you. Begin your training in a distraction-free environment, such as your own home. Show your dog a toy or a treat, and give it to him/her when he/she comes to you. After a few repetitions, add the verbal cue ‘Hier’ if the dog begins to walk towards you.
Vrij
This order will cause your dog to walk alongside you. To begin, attach a ten- to fifteen-foot leash to your dog. Then, use a cue, such as “yes” or something similar, and make a noise. Reward your dog with a treat the moment it turns toward you or looks at you. You’ll find your dog staring at you and approaching you for the reward after a few repetitions.
Back up a few paces when it’s on its way to you, still wearing the leash and collar. Praise your pooch when he/she arrives. The dog should begin to follow you after some practice.
Nee
This command prevents your dog from performing the last action it did. To teach your dog to stop doing something, get his/her attention by using some treats. Make your dog join you in sitting or walking. Say ‘Nee’ and then stop doing what you’re doing. Repeat this until your dog understands the order.
Apport
Fetch is an important police dog command—the Dutch word for fetch is Apport. Leave the training for another day if your dog isn’t in the mood to fetch items. Do not force your dog to learn new commands. Start by throwing an item away from you and your dog. If it brings the item back, praise it and reward it with a treat. Repeat this training several times.
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