On Command Dog Training

04/25/2025

Susie has been at the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center been over 8 months and is looking for a home to share with a loving family. She’s sweet, smart, playful and great with other dogs. Come meet her at On Command Dog Training or give us a call at 254-265-7400.

04/22/2025

Hey, everyone. Meet Bugsy. He came to us yesterday from the Gatesville Animal Shelter. He’s a 2 year old Chihuahua mix. He was very timid at our initial meeting and even yesterday he was disinterested in acknowledging us or even being acknowledged. In this video from earlier today, you’ll see what a difference 24 short hours can make. If you’re interested in adopting or meeting Bugsy, please contact us 254-265-7400.
Voices for the Gatesville Animal Shelter

04/05/2025

Today was a bitter-sweet day. We wrapped up cycle 02-25 and all of our training dogs are graduated and back home with their families, applying their newly taught skills. That’s the sweet part. The bitter is that Eddie has yet to be adopted or find a foster and unfortunately is back at the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center. I really don’t know why. Eddie is a small/medium dog, weighing maybe 40-45 pounds. He’s super friendly with people and dogs and knows tons of commands. He has a great temperament and really deserves a home. Please help Eddie by sharing this post and let’s see if we can find my good buddy a home. I went to see him at the shelter today (he left yesterday) and it broke my heart to see him there, knowing he will bring love and life to any home. Somebody rescue this guy and then come see us for some free lessons with him.

04/02/2025

03/24/2025

A little public obedience and photo ops for Bane and Champ today. I don’t know if a dog can get more photogenic than these two.

03/14/2025

Hey, everyone. This post is twofold. 1: Eddie has beenn asking if there has been any interest in him. 2: To talk about some of the training techniques we use at OCDT.

🚨 Eddie is still here waiting to be adopted🚨

In this video, Eddie is learning to heel, or “walk by our side (at our heel)”. You’ll notice we’re using two leashes, one behind and one in the front. This is called toggling. The purpose of this is to help teach Eddie proper positioning while we walk in the heel position (heel command). Sometimes, dogs will sway their rear end outwards in an effort to face the handler. In order to address this, we can use the toggling method to get a more precise heel. You’ll also notice at the 56 second mark, when he sits, he steps back and cants his body to face the handler. That rear leash will help to keep him closer to the handler and helps bring the back end of the dog inwards, training Eddie to walk without swinging his rear end outwards and then to sit without stepping back and angling towards the handler. Not all dogs require this method of teaching the heel. And not all pet owners will care to be this precise. However, when you have a dog with this much drive, focus and potential, we want to ensure we’re cultivating a training environment to get the most out of them. All of that said, come meet Eddie and get you a walking buddy, a playmate and a friend that will certainly be an added bonus to any home.
Please contact us at 254-265-7400 to meet Eddie or contact the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center to schedule your adoption.

03/12/2025

We had some amazing dogs graduate last month. One of those dogs was Sulley aka Sullimander 🦎. Sulley is a male German Shepherd and completed a three-week board and train. This guy has so much personality and performed very well. He’ll be back this week for his first follow up session. We can’t wait to see the big fella and can’t overstate how integral these follow up lessons are to help maintain the obedience and training these pups receive while with us.

03/10/2025

Nimbus is still here, training and preparing for his forever 🏠 . Will it be yours 🫵🏼? We’re definitely a part of the Nimbucratic party and are rooting for him. Show your support and let’s get this fella in a loving 🥰 🏠 . He’s great with other dogs 🐶 🐕 and people and is the sweetest fella you’ll ever meet. A lot of times, when getting a dog from the shelter you’re rolling the dice on what you’ll get. On occasion, you’ll find a 💎 in the ruff 🐶. Come meet this fella and bring your diamond home when he’s completed training on April 5th.

02/25/2025

Say hello to Nimbus. Nimbus joins the OCDT Family from the Gatesville Animal Shelter and is looking for his furever home 🐾 🏠. Nimbus, AKA Nimbecile, AKA NimbeRRRRRRRR (said like a tree falling 🤓) will be with us for 6 weeks. In just two short days we’ve been able to increase his motivation for food and training, and reduce his jumping, leash pulling and biting at the leash as well as his barking. Imagine what’s to come at the end of 6 weeks. Nimbus is a 1.5 year male and is believed to possibly be a hound mix. He’s already began socializing with other dogs and seems to enjoy them. Pictured below, he’s offering play bows to Eddie, from the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center, who is also training for 6 weeks and is up for adoption. If interested in either Nimbus or Eddie, please contact us at 254-265-7400 or contact their respective shelters.

02/24/2025

Meet Eddie. AKA Ed, Edd & Eddy, AKA Eduardo Heights, AKA Edward Scissor Paws.

Eddie is a 1 year old pit mix and is a resident of the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center and has been since September 2024. It’s difficult for potential adopters to select him because he’s high energy and literally bounces off the walls. Today, he begins his 6 week training journey with us at OCDT. Along with obedience, he’ll be learning a lot of cool tricks to help burn off that energy. If you’re interested in meeting Eddie, please call us at 254-265-7400 or reach out to the Harker Heights Pet Adoption Center. Eddie has a great temperament and has shown a knack for learning already. Come meet this happy fella and see if he’d be a great fit for you and your family.

02/24/2025

People often ask me what it’s like having two dogs. My response is the same every time. “I don’t know, I have 5”. 😜

02/11/2025

Took River to Lowe’s to do some public obedience and her butt wanna play hide and seek. Lemme know if y’all can spot her 👀 in this picture. 🤣🐶🐾 🫣

02/07/2025

Piper graduated our Two-Week Program a couple of weeks ago. She just came back in for her follow up yesterday. Mom initially contacted us because Piper was constantly escaping the yard at her previous owner’s house. Piper also was reportedly other-dog-selective. During training, we confirmed that to be the case but was able to socialize her with more than 10 different dogs (initially, one at a time but eventually simultaneously). In just two short weeks we were able to overcome those concerns and provided mom with weekly videos of training as well as email updates so she’s able to use the newfound tools Piper has. During our follow up session, we worked on “Free”. Piper loved place so much that she wouldn’t release when freed. Not a bad problem to have. Anywho, let’s congratulate Piper and her mom Tara on completing our basic obedience course. 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 🐶 🎓 🐾

02/06/2025

Fun with River, performing Spin and Turn.

02/01/2025

Business: Customer Service, how can I help you?

Me: I’d like to request a refund.

Business: Is there something wrong with the product.

Me: Why yes. Yes there is. 🤣

02/01/2025

I mean, you not gone just yell in my face, Cooper. 🗣️ 🐶 🤣🤣🤣

01/31/2025

SIT!

A basic command that many dogs learn before learning anything else. It’s also probably the most used and least reenforced command by dog owners. How many times have you told your dog to sit and they don’t sit? What do you do? Tell them 50/11 more times. Or, they sit and you tell them good boy or good girl, give them a head pat or a treat and then they’re right back up. When you tell them to sit, how long are they to hold it? How do they know when to sit the 1st time you tell them versus the 9th? This is where training comes in. This is when we establish consistency in messaging to the dog. Once we establish that “this word means this thing”, we begin reenforcing it. We then teach them, not only do you have to sit. I want you to sit for a period of time until you’re released. That’s duration. We follow that with teaching them to hold their sit even as we move/walk away. That’s distance. Finally, we add distractions and teach them to sit, even though food or toys are present; even though your friends are here; even if someone/something is more interesting. We teach them to ignore their impulses and rely on obedience. These are known as the “3-D’s”. If you want to learn more about the 3-D’s, or TMC (Timing, Consistency & Motivation), contact your friendly, neighborhood dog trainer and see if we can help. 254-265-7400

01/28/2025

It takes time, patience, consistency and determination to get to this point. What most see is the final destination and not the journey. Come take a trip with us at On Command Dog Training. Call us at 254-265-7400 to book your free consultation and let’s see which road we need to take to get you to your destination.