How Many Commands Can a Dog Learn? Discovering Their Full Potential

Firstly, if you're wondering how many commands a dog can learn, the answer is many! Dogs have a massive capacity for learning and even better yet they love to learn. If you're looking for more tricks to teach your dog, then why don't you consider something a bit more advanced?

If you're looking to strengthen the bond and relationship with your dog with something fun and more than basic obedience this is for you. Check out these 5 cool things you can start teaching your dog that will satisfy their needs

Obedience is a great starting point to starting to do fun things with your dog. If you understand the 4 Quadrants of dog training and want to do more with your dog this could be a Greta place to expand on. I started with obedience with Jasper, which then took us onto the more advanced skills and now we're planning to do more this year.

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell, in fact it's 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than ours. They have the ability to smell diseases, track people, find explosives and more.

Believe it or not, it isn't at all that hard to start getting your dog into scent work. Whether you want them to find their favourite treats, toy, a certain scent or even something like your keys, this is such a fun activity to take up.

If your dog is constantly scavenging the ground and loves to go investigate mysterious smells then maybe this one is for you.

For those of you that haven't seen agility, imagine it as a timed obstacle course…for dogs. Think weaving in and out of piles, going through tunnels, going up and down a seesaw and more.

There are many options for agility classes if you look hard enough but nothing says you can't create your own little courses at home either.

Now there might be some that don't have herding dogs, or livestock but want to give this a try. Fret not, there's actually a huge craze going round called Triebball where the dog herds large inflatable balls into a certain goal/area.

Triebball can be a super fun sport and binding opportunity and gives dogs that aren't just herding breeds a chance to get involved.

Dock diving is a sport where dogs compete to see who can jump the furthest distance into a body of water. The owner will throw a toy into the water whilst the dog waits and when ready the dog will run, jump and launch into the water to the toy.

If your dog loves the water this can be an insanely great activity to get involved in. This is another one where the breed of the dog isn't an issue.

This may be more popular in some areas than others and you may struggle finding suitable bodies of water.

Consistency is key. Without regular training sessions, your dog is less likely to retain what they’ve learned. By making training a part of your daily routine, even in short bursts, you create a rhythm that keeps your dog engaged and helps them better understand what’s expected of them. Over time, this consistency will lead to noticeable improvements in your dog’s behaviour and ability to follow commands or perform activities.

Tracking your dog’s progress is another critical aspect of successful training. By keeping track of what commands or activities your dog has mastered and which ones they’re still working on, you can identify areas where they need more practice. This helps you fine-tune your approach and celebrate the small wins along the way, keeping you motivated to push forward. It’s this dedication to both consistency and progression that turns training from a chore into a rewarding journey of growth for both you and your dog.

Metal stimulation helps to tire your dog out in ways that physical exercise alone can’t achieve. A dog that is mentally stimulated is more focused, more adaptable, and less prone to unwanted behaviours like excessive barking, chewing, or pulling on walks. Incorporating activities that challenge their problem-solving skills or introduce them to new environments allows your dog to feel fulfilled and sharp.

After physical activity, mental stimulation plays a key role in helping your dog wind down. Engaging your dog’s mind before or after exercise brings them to a calm, relaxed state, making them more ready for rest or sleep. A mentally stimulated dog is less likely to carry stress and overstimulation throughout the day, allowing for deeper rest and relaxation, which is essential for both physical and mental recovery.

When a dog learns beyond the basics, their impulse control sharpens, making walks more enjoyable and interactions with other dogs or people more manageable. You’re also providing an outlet for their natural instincts, whether it’s through agility for high-energy breeds or scent work for those with a strong nose. The results? A dog who’s calmer, more engaged, and better equipped to face the world alongside you.

Expanding your dog’s repertoire builds trust and communication between you two, creating a stronger bond that lasts beyond the training sessions. It’s not just about commands—it’s about building confidence and preparing your dog for anything that comes their way.

Doing things such as this is a great way to strengthen your relationship and bond with your dog. It is also a great way to fully exercise and fulfil a dog.

There are so many more cool things out there including the 5 on this list. Something I want to get into at some point this year is bikejoring with Jasper! I feel that is something he'd love and surprisingly good at!