23 Powerful Spanish Commands for Your Dog or Puppy

Your dog is curious about the new language you are learning and starting to feel left out when you converse with friends and teachers.  Don’t leave your pup out of the conversation any longer! Start using Spanish commands!

Now is the time to engage your furry best friend in Spanish so that they can be your bilingual companion! It is proven that speaking Spanish every day will help improve your language skills. Practice alone no more. Get your pup up to speed so you can practice even more frequently.

Read on to learn about dog culture in Latinoamérica, Spanish vocabulary for visiting the pet store, and how to use Spanish commands with your dog.

Dog Culture in Latin America

Dogs are important pets and companions in Latin America. In fact, people in Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil have more pets than any other country! Additionally, 80% of Latin Americans are pet owners! The runners up are Russia at 73% and the United States at 70%. The pet of choice is, you guessed it, dogs.

Latin American dog owners not only love their pets (67% say their pet is their best friend… sometimes more so than their partner), they also pamper them. Over 70% of pets are given specialty food, luxury items such as fancy clothing, and even health insurance.  

So, how do you shop for that diamond-encrusted collar or gluten-free dog food in Spanish? Let’s learn some vocabulary so that you can go shopping for your mascota (pet).

 Useful Vocabulary for Your Dog

Spanish Commands to Teach Your Dog

The infinitive form of a verb is its most basic form—such as correr (to run) and comer (to eat). When you deviate from this basic verb, then you begin conjugating the verb to match the subject of your sentence.

In English, the verb doesn’t change when we make a command. Let’s take a look at these phrases: sit down, don’t sit, sit here, don’t sit there. The verb stays the same (sit) in each command.

However, in Spanish verb conjugation changes depending on whether it is positive or negative. Commands are quite different in Spanish. Let’s take a look:

• siéntate — sit down
• no te sientes — don’t sit

Commands in Spanish are Tricky

When a command—called the imperative—is affirmative, then you use the affirmative imperative form. Here’s a trick: you usually default to the same conjugation as the present indicative form.

On the other hand, when the Spanish command is negative (such as using “no” in your sentence), then the verb is conjugated to the negative imperative form. While negation is useful for using the imperative form with other humans, you’re better off sticking to a simple Spanish ¡No! when you don’t want your dog doing something naughty.

For more details, check out our in-depth lesson on imperatives in 10 Spanish Commands to Use with Your Kids.

 23 Powerful Spanish Commands for Your Dog

How to Teach your Dog New Tricks

Dogs are smart. In fact, most dogs understand around 165 words! Your dog will be happy to be challenged in a new way. To introduce Spanish to your dog, start slow and be patient, teach 1-2 new words per week, and give positive reinforcement every time your dog understands a Spanish word.

Dogs understand words as well as voice inflections,  body language, and hand gestures. Reinforcing Spanish commands and using the same gestures you would with the English word will help your dog comprehend the word more quickly. For example, grab the leash and walk toward the door if you want to invite your dog on a walk. Tengo la correa, ¿quieres caminar conmigo?  

You (and Your Dog) Will Speak Spanish in No Time!

Sign up for a free class to show off your dog training skills in Spanish, and practice Spanish commands with a native Spanish-speaker in Guatemala.  Homeschool Spanish Academy offers flexible and fun Spanish classes for every level, and our teachers are eagerly awaiting the chance to meet you and start a conversation.  You won’t believe how fast you’ll reach fluency by talking to a professional, certified Spanish teacher!

Want more free Spanish learning resources? Look no further!

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Tara Faires

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

I am a blog-writing, soccer-momming, grant-writing, carpooling mom with two young kiddos. When not driving my kids around, you will find me hiking, doing yoga or traveling. I’ve journeyed through 23 countries so far - just getting started!

I began studying Spanish at age 11 and have been interested in language and culture ever since! While at university, I studied abroad in Spain and Costa Rica and got a B.A. in Environmental Economics with a minor in Spanish. After spending over a decade in corporate America, I now enjoy the simpler things in life. ¡Pura Vida!

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