Hey there fellow dog lovers! Ever found yourself wondering if teaching your furry friend commands in German, French, or even Czech might be a good idea? You’re not alone! As someone who’s gone through this exact dilemma with my own pups I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned about training dogs in foreign languages.
Why People Train Dogs in Foreign Languages
Let’s get real – there are actually some pretty solid reasons why many professional trainers and dog owners choose to use non-English commands. I was skeptical at first too, but after researching and trying it myself, I’ve become a convert!
Preventing Confusion in Public
One of the biggest advantages is avoiding accidental commands from strangers. Imagine this scenario:
You’re at a busy dog park with your perfectly trained English-speaking pooch. Someone yells “DOWN!” to their own dog, and suddenly your obedient buddy drops to the ground too! Super annoying, right?
This exact situation happened to one obedience competitor I know. She was directing her Golden Retriever to jump during a competition when a handler in the next ring yelled “DOWN!” loudly. Her dog immediately responded by going down instead of jumping – disqualifying them from that trial! After that frustrating experience, she switched to training all her dogs in German.
Professional Working Dogs Often Start Foreign
Many police and service dogs actually start their lives abroad, particularly in European countries. German Shepherds, for example, are often imported from places like:
- Germany
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
As a police dog handler explained: “The German Shepherd dogs bred in North America are simply too physically unsound. They are bred to have sharply sloping backs that impairs the strength of their hindquarters and their ability to move quickly.”
These imported dogs have typically already received basic training in their native country’s language. It makes the transition easier to continue using commands they already understand rather than retraining everything.
Safety in Working Situations
For police and military K9s, having commands in a different language adds a layer of security. A suspect can’t easily command the dog if they don’t know the language being used.
As one officer explained: “Imagine we are pursuing a suspect who is trying to escape capture. Suddenly that individual turns and yells ‘Down!’ If the dog is well-trained he just might drop flat on hearing that command.”
Using non-English commands significantly reduces this risk. The chances of a random person knowing how to say “down” in Czech or German is much lower than in English!
Common Languages Used for Dog Training
So which languages do people typically use? Here are the most popular choices
- German – Classic choice for working dogs (commands like “Sitz,” “Platz,” “Hier”)
- French – Popular in some regions (“Assis,” “Couche,” “Viens”)
- Czech – Common for imported police dogs
- Dutch – Used with many Belgian Malinois
- Hebrew – Less common but still used by some handlers
Basic Commands in Different Languages
If you’re thinking about training your dog in another language, here’s a handy table of common commands to get you started:
| English | German | French | Czech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sit | Sitz | Assis | Sedni |
| Down | Platz | Couche | Lehni |
| Stay | Bleib | Reste | Zůstaň |
| Come | Hier/Komm | Viens | Ke mně |
| Heel | Fuss | Au pied | K noze |
| Fetch | Bring | Apporte | Aport |
Pros and Cons of Foreign Language Training
Let’s weigh the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide if this is right for you and your furry friend:
Pros:
- Prevents confusion from accidental commands in public
- Makes your dog less likely to respond to strangers
- Can add an element of security for protection dogs
- Sounds fancy and impressive at the dog park
- Creates a special language just between you and your dog
Cons:
- Other people can’t easily control your dog in emergencies
- You need to remember and correctly pronounce foreign words
- It can feel silly at first yelling German words at the dog park
- You might need to explain your training method to friends/family
- Limited benefit for the average pet dog in most situations
My Personal Experience with Foreign Commands
I started training my German Shepherd, Max, with German commands about 3 years ago. At first, it felt super awkward shouting “PLATZ!” instead of “down” at the dog park. I got some weird looks, not gonna lie.
But over time, I noticed something interesting – Max seemed to respond more consistently to the German commands than he had to English ones. Maybe it was because these words stood out more from everyday conversation? Or perhaps I was more deliberate when using them?
Either way, the biggest advantage came when we started doing more advanced training. Having specific words that were ONLY used for commands (and never in casual conversation) seemed to help him understand when I was giving an instruction versus just chatting.
Is It Too Late to Switch Languages?
A common question I get is: “My dog already knows commands in English – is it too late to switch?”
Absolutely not! Dogs can learn multiple languages just like humans can learn multiple words for the same concept. The key is consistency during the transition period.
Here’s a simple method I’ve used to switch languages:
- Pair the new foreign word with the English command your dog already knows
- Say “Sitz, Sit” while giving the hand signal
- Gradually phase out the English word
- Eventually use only the foreign word
Most dogs pick this up surprisingly quickly! Within a few weeks, Max was responding to German commands as well as he had to English ones.
Common Misconceptions
There are some funny myths about training dogs in foreign languages that I want to clear up:
Myth 1: Dogs understand certain languages better based on their breed
One trainer shared a story about a client who insisted his Rottweiler puppy be trained in German because “Rottweilers are a breed that was created in Germany, so it only seems sensible that he would have a genetic predisposition to understand and respond to German commands more reliably.”
This is totally false! Dogs don’t have genetic language preferences. As the trainer joked, “If you believe that kind of thinking, I suppose it would explain why Irish Setters are so difficult to train. We should be speaking to them in Gaelic!”
Myth 2: You need to be fluent in the language
You only need to learn 5-10 command words, not the entire language! Anyone can learn to properly pronounce a few German or French words.
Myth 3: It’s confusing for the dog
Dogs don’t understand “languages” – they associate specific sounds with specific actions. Whether that sound is “sit” or “sitz” makes no difference to them.
Practical Tips If You Decide to Try It
If you’re thinking about training your dog in a foreign language, here are some helpful tips:
- Choose one language and stick with it – Don’t mix German and French commands
- Learn proper pronunciation – Look up videos online to hear native speakers
- Start with just a few basic commands – Don’t overwhelm yourself or your dog
- Be consistent – Everyone in the household should use the same commands
- Carry a cheat sheet – Keep the translations handy until you memorize them
- Inform regular caretakers – Make sure your dog walker or pet sitter knows the commands
When It Probably Isn’t Worth It
While I’m a fan of foreign language training, I’ll be the first to admit it’s not necessary for everyone. You might want to stick with English if:
- Your dog is older and already well-trained in English
- Multiple family members or caretakers need to handle your dog
- You struggle with memorizing or pronouncing foreign words
- Your dog is primarily a house pet without specialized work needs
Final Thoughts: Should YOU Train Your Dog in a Different Language?
After all my research and personal experience, my take is this: for the average pet owner, it’s a fun option but not essential. For working dogs, competition dogs, or dogs that need precise control in public settings, it can be genuinely beneficial.
I’ve personally enjoyed training my dogs in German, and I’ve found it creates a special bond between us. There’s something cool about having our own “secret language” that not everyone around us understands!
If you’re on the fence, why not try it with just one or two commands and see how it goes? You might be surprised at how quickly your dog picks it up – and how much you enjoy it too!
What do you think? Have you tried training your dog in a different language? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Remember, whatever language you choose to train your dog in, the most important factors are always consistency, patience, and lots of positive reinforcement. Dogs don’t care what language you speak – they just want to make you happy! ❤️
Many service and competitive dogs are taught commands in a different language.
- Police and service dogs are often bred abroad and trained using non-English commands before they are delivered to their new owners.
- Transition to the dogs new home may be easier if their first-learned language is retained.
- Using languages other than English potentially also prevents confusion in working dogs due to utterances by people other than the trainer.
I was at a conference for police dog handlers where I had just finished giving a talk on how to read the emotional state of dogs. The hotel in which the conference was being held had made itself dog-friendly for the event and many of the police officers had brought their service dogs with them. The lobby was filled with dogs and their handlers. But as I viewed the scene, I had a momentary feeling that I had been thrown back into the time of the Tower of Babel. While I heard the expected commands of “sit” and “down,” I also heard handlers giving their dogs commands in German, French, Czech, and Hebrew. This was puzzling to me since I knew that the vast majority of the attendees at the conference were from police forces in the Western United States.
Why Some Service Dogs Don’t “Speak” English
This was on my mind when I attended a reception early that evening. So I raised the issue with several police dog handlers. The answers I got were interesting. First, they explained to me that many of the dogs that were used for police work in the U.S. were bred in European countries. One explained to me, “The German Shepherd dogs bred in North America are simply too physically unsound. They are bred to have sharply sloping backs and that impairs the strength of their hindquarters and their ability to move quickly. So if we want a sound and solid working German Shepherd we get them from places like Germany, Belgium, and the former Czechoslovakia.
“By the time we get the dog it has already had some basic training, but the commands it learned are typically in German, French, or Czech. So the rationale that many forces use is that the dog already knows those commands and it seems that it would make the transition to their new working life easier to simply continue speaking to the dog in the language that it already knows. The handler doesnt really have to know a second language since there are only about six basic commands and an additional half-dozen associated with the actual guard, search, or attack work which have to be learned in that other language.”
Another officer chimed in: “There seems to be a second benefit in training the dogs to respond to commands in a language other than English. Specifically, it prevents confusion. Imagine that we are pursuing a suspect who is trying to escape capture. Suddenly that individual turns and yells Down! If the dog is well-trained he just might drop flat on hearing that command. That could give the suspect time to evade us and escape capture. Of course, we normally try to train the dogs so that they only respond to commands given by one specific handler, but there is always the chance that hearing a command given in an authoritative voice might trigger their trained reaction. The chances of that kind of miscue are considerably lower if the dog has been trained in a language other than English.”
Why Train Your Dog In Different Languages?
FAQ
Should I train my dog a different language?
Training your pup with a language not commonly spoken in your area means your dog may be more receptive to your commands. In certain cases, you may want to ensure that your dog will only listen to your commands. Using another language to train them means it will be more difficult for other people to use the same words with your dog.
Can a dog be trained in a foreign language?
The simple answer is yes. You can train your dog in any language as long as you adhere to the same repetitive training that you would use when training your dog in English. If you are feeling adventurous, below is a table of some foreign language basic commands that are used in professional K9 training.
Should you teach a dog commands in another language?
One final benefit of teaching commands in another language is that it can give dogs the ability to relearn behaviors. For example, if you’re adopting an older dog, they may have been trained insufficiently.
Should you teach your dog basic commands?
Teaching your dog basic commands is a great way to help form a positive relationship with your pup. You can even take this a step further by teaching your dog commands in a different language. In fact, research has shown that dogs can notice the differences between a language commonly spoken by their parents and a foreign language.
Can dogs understand different languages?
In fact, research has shown that dogs can notice the differences between a language commonly spoken by their parents and a foreign language. Although we still don’t have any evidence that dogs can truly understand different languages, they are very perceptive to differences in intonation. Why Train My Dog in Another Language?
How do you teach a dog a new skill?
First, be consistent. Make sure you use a word that is easy for you to pronounce and stick to it. And don’t use the same word for multiple commands. Second, be patient and kind. Remember that positive reinforcement is more effective when teaching your dog new skills.
What is the 7 7 7 rule for dogs?
Eaten from at least 7 different containers • Been held and petted by at least 7 different people • Taken at least 7 one-mile car rides • Been in a crate at …
What language is best to train dogs?
Some people like to use german and other guttural sounding european languages for training for certain dog sports (for example Schutzhund) because the sounds of those languages have been shown to be very easy for dogs to pick up quickly and understand.
What is the 3 3 3 rule for dog training?
The 3-3-3 rule helps set expectations: 3 Days — Decompression: Your dog may be nervous, sleep a lot, or not eat much. Give them a quiet space and a simple routine. 3 Weeks — Settling In: They start exploring and testing boundaries. Use positive reinforcement and keep a consistent schedule.