A few Simple Commands

If you want your dog to do something never use sentences because they can’t understand what you want of them. Only use one or two word commands and use a different word for each action.
A few simple one word commands can include: In, Out, Back, Stay, Wait, Down, Away, Leave, Off.
Two word commands can include: Walk on, Lay Down, Back Soon and This Way.

No

NEVER USE THE WORD ‘NO’
’No’ is a human word. When someone is told ‘no’ they can work out what they are doing that you are asking them not to do - a dog can’t.

At first it may seem as if you are using this word all the time when your dog does something undesirable. it's often the first word that comes into your head. However, train yourself to use a different word for each action such as ''Leave', 'Off' or 'Down' . If you use ‘No’ your dog will have difficulty working out what he's doing wrong because you use it for everything. The dog gets confused, you become frustrated or annoyed and think the dog isn’t very clever, but in fact, he just doesn't know what you are talking about. While training yourself if you accidentally say ‘No’ tag the correct command on the end ‘No, down’ for example.

In and Out

‘IN’ means go in .
‘OUT’ means go out.

Back

Use 'BACK' for any situation where he is blocking your way and you want him to move backwards ie: he’s blocking the door when you come in. Look at him and put your hand out in front of you so the palm is level with your face and facing your dog. In this position slowly move your palm away from your face towards him saying 'BACK' at the same time in a firm yet calm voice. The sight of your palm, which is an aggressive gesture will make him want to move away from it so walk backwards. As he learns the word that accompanies the hand movement you will be able to use just the word.

Wait

'WAIT' means to wait there I say it's okay to move. Use 'WAIT' when you are opening the car door and you need to put his lead on, or until its safe for him to get out the vehicle. Use it to wait at doorways so he knows you must walk through the doorway first (leadership). Use it if he is too bouncy when you want to put his coat, collar or lead on, also to wait while you put his food down so he eats it when you say (leadership).

The word is said in a manner to draw out the command so don't say 'wait' but 'w a i t' and say it in a firm but calm way. If your dog is bouncy just stand still with your arms by your side or folded across your chest, do NOT look at your dog, make sure he knows you are looking away from him and say 'WAIT' until your dog has all four feet on the ground - if the word is said in a bouncy or aggressive manner or you look at the dog it just makes matters worse. If your dog goes quiet and you want to put his lead on and he starts being bouncy again stand back, arms folded, look away and repeat the word 'WAIT' until he stands still again. Keep doing this until he realizes he is going nowhere until he stands still.

Walk on

When you ask your dog to 'wait' he needs a command telling him to move again.  If you ask him to wait because a car is passing then say ‘WALK ON’ when it's safe to set off again. Likewise, if you are walking past something and you want him to ignore it then by continually saying 'walk on, walk on' in a steady firm voice it helps keep him focused on the fact he is to walk with you and ignore the distraction. If he fails to listen drop the tone of your voice and use ‘LEAVE’. Use ‘WALK ON’ if you need to walk in single file and he’s in front of you.  In saying WALK ON’ he knows you are there, which reduces his need to keep stopping to look behind to see if you are still there.

Stay

‘STAY’ means you stay there till I come back for you. The difference between 'STAY' and 'WAIT' is that stay means he must where he is till you come back, whereas wait means to stand lay there till you give him another command to move.

Away

'AWAY' is used when they are doing something that is not detrimental, but you would sooner them not do it such as sniffing rubbish, another dog's mess or even if they show interest in wanting to say hello to another dog and you don't want them to. It can also be used if they try to eat your food at the table and you want them to go away.

Leave

‘LEAVE’ is said in a very deep voice that sounds like a growl. It means you do not have that whatever you think. If they don’t listen, then your voice isn’t deep enough so train yourself to get the right tone. No other word is used other than ‘LEAVE’ - used when showing interest in cats, the children’s pets such as hamsters, farm animals and poultry. Also use it if they try to eat your dinner and ‘AWAY’ doesn’t work. Use the word ‘LEAVE’ for anything they can never have and you mean it, but you must use the correct tone of voice.

Off

Use ‘OFF’ if you don't want your dog on the settee or bed. When you see him there say ’OFF’ gently but firmly and, if he doesn't move, take his collar, say ‘OFF’ and move him to where you want him to be. If he still won’t move attach the lead to his collar and say ‘OFF’ which will work. Once off whatever he was on praise him to reinforce the idea where you’ve just put him is the place to be. If you calmly repeat this every time he gets on the bed or settee he will quickly learn what is expected. It is also important to praise him for going to the correct place on his own and not always waiting until he has been guided there by you.
You can also use this word if your dog jumps up to greet you and you don't want him to. When he jumps up take his front feet in your hands, squeeze his paws slightly, not to hurt him but to be uncomfortable. Say ‘OFF' as you are squeezing his feet and gently but firmly push him away so he goes back onto the floor, don't greet him and act indifferent. Each time he greets you by jumping up repeat this and when he greets you without jumping up praise him.
Once he learns ‘OFF’ means get down from where ever he is you can use it for other things - when he goes to jump up to other people, jumps to a work surface, etc.

Sit

‘SIT’ isn't used for the majority of Greyhounds because most find it very uncomfortable because of the shape of their spine. Those who do sit can look very awkward. If your Greyhound doesn’t sit of his own accord don’t teach him to sit, but instead use ‘CLOSE’ if you want him to stand close to your leg waiting to cross a road or 'GO DOWN’ if you are somewhere you want him to lay down.

Go down - Lie down

The easiest way to teach ‘GO DOWN’ or ‘LIE DOWN’ is to say the words each time you see him going to lay down on his own. By saying the words each time he lays down he will associate the words with that action. If you are by his side when you say it you can also apply a little pressure with your hand to his back end.  Praise when down, but not overly so otherwise he will jump back up again.