From Woof to Olé: 20 Spanish Dog Commands to Train Your Furry Amigo

If you have a fur baby, you know that they are part of the family. So why not include them in your Spanish-learning routine? You can practice your Spanish skills with your pet and impress everyone at the dog park. In this guide, you’ll learn useful vocabulary and common dog commands in Spanish so you and your doggo can both be multilingual.

Spanish Dog Vocabulary

Learning vocabulary related to dogs is a must if you are a dog owner in a Spanish-speaking country. Even if you’re just traveling with your pet, knowing Spanish words related to dogs can help you talk with local veterinarians, find pet-friendly owners, and make sure your puppy has everything they need to travel back home safely. 

Here’s some Spanish vocabulary you can use to talk about dogs:

20 Dog Commands in Spanish

As pet owners, we all like to speak to our pups in a friendly voice. But, teaching your dog to follow commands can keep them safe. Just as when talking to people, we use the imperative tense to give commands or orders. And since a pet is part of the family, you’ll use the informal “Tú” form of the verb. You can use a combination of Spanish grammar resources to ensure you know how to conjugate and apply these verbs. Below, you’ll find 20 common Spanish dog commands to train your dog.

¡Ven!

The command “¡ven!” comes from the verb “venir.” This verb translates to “come” and, in its imperative form, it can help you order your dog to come to you. To conjugate “venir” in the imperative tense, all you have to do is drop its “-ir” ending. If you’re planning to let your dog run free or want to make sure they behave in the dog park, this is one of the first commands you want to teach them.

¡Vamos!

If your dog is as stubborn as mine, you’ll probably need to use “¡vamos!” multiple times in a row. “¡Vamos!” is a useful command that comes from the verb ir and translates to “let’s go!” Here, the verb “ir” is used in the plural present indicative form (vamos) because it’s pointing out the action of going together (you and your pup) now. This command has a couple of uses: you can use it to order your dog to follow you, or to let them know you’re taking them for a walk. For example, you can say “¡vamos!” (let’s go!) or “¡vamos al parque!” (let’s go to the park!).

¡Basta!

“¡Basta!” is a common Spanish expression that translates to “stop it!” In Spanish, we use this command to let our dogs know that they need to stop antics such as barking for no reason, destroying their beds, or biting furniture. In my experience, “¡basta!” is just as useful as saying “no!” so you definitely want to teach your dog to obey this command.

¡Silencio!

The command “¡silencio!” translates to “quiet!” and can come in handy if your dog won’t stop barking. This command is quite easy to remember, as there’s a big chance that you’re already familiar with it if you have been studying Spanish for a while. Many people use “¡silencio!” as an alternative to “¡basta!” Just know that this one is specific for when you want someone (or your dog) to stop any loud noises.

¡Quieto!

“¡Quieto!” translates to “stay!” With this command, you can stop your dog from running away or going into places he’s not supposed to (like the neighbor’s yard). Dogs like to explore, but sometimes we must stop them from getting into danger. If your dog is more of a visual learner, you can also hold up your palm to let them know they need to stay where they are.

¡Siéntate!

“¡Siéntate!” comes from the Spanish verb “sentarse.” This command translates to “sit!” and it’s one of the first tricks owners try to teach their new dogs. “Sentar” is a stem-changing “-ar” verb so, to conjugate it in its imperative form, you must remember to look at its stem and ending. Another common alternative for this command is “¡sentado!”

¡Fuera!

Don’t mistake “¡fuera!” for “¡largo!” Unlike the second option, “¡fuera!”(out!) serves to tell dogs that they need to get out of a room, off the bed, or simply exit the car. You can also use “¡fuera!” to potty train them and let them know that they need to go in the yard. If you’re trying to point your dog to go out of the house, you can say “¡afuera!” (out!), too. “¡Largo!” is more similar to “¡get out!” and is too rude for our pups.

¡Entra!

“¡Entra!” translates to “get in!” and comes from the verb “entrar.” With “¡entra!” you can tell your dog to get in the house, get in the car, or get in the room. This dog command is specific to going in somewhere. For example, Spanish speakers wouldn’t use “¡entra!” to tell dogs to get on the couch.

¡Sube!

“¡Sube!” is the imperative “tú” form for the verb “subir,” meaning “go up”. With this command, you can tell your dog to go upstairs, on the bed, or in the car. To conjugate the verb subir in the imperative form, just replace its “-ir” ending with “-e.”

¡Baja!

“¡Baja!” translates to “get down!” but it can also help you command your dog to “get off” places. For example, if you have a dog that likes to get on the table, you can use “¡baja!” to let them know they’re not supposed to be there. Many Spanish speakers also use “¡bájate!” as an alternative, but both phrases have the same meaning.

¡Tráelo!

“¡Tráelo!” is a fun command you can give your dogs when you want them to “fetch!” Many dogs can understand if you tell them “¡tráelo! while throwing a ball, for example. But, if you want them to fetch you something from another room in the house, you’ll need to be more specific. In these cases, you can say “¡trae el control remoto!” (fetch the TV remote!) or “¡trae tu juguete!” (fetch your toy!). Make sure to congratulate your dog if they do bring you what you’re asking for, and give them a treat. They’ll appreciate that!

¡Suéltalo!

I’ve had dogs for a while now, and I can confirm that “¡suéltalo!” is one of the most important commands a dog can learn. “¡Suéltalo!” translates to “drop it!” and comes from the verb “soltar.” This command is essential if your dog likes to pick up random objects from the streets or steal things around the house (like Christmas tree ornaments). You can use this phrase to order your dog to let go of specific objects like, “¡suelta ese zapato!” (drop that shoe!) or “¡suelta esa piedra!” (drop that rock!).

¡Habla!

“¡Habla!” translates to “speak!” and can be a fun command to teach your dog to impress your family and friends. This command comes from the verb “hablar,” and uses the imperative “tú” form. Of course, dogs can’t speak Spanish like humans, but they can bark in response and that surely deserves a treat!

¡Dámelo!

“¡Dámelo!” is the affirmative imperative form for the verb “dar” in the second person singular, and translates to “give it!” Most Spanish speakers use “¡dámelo!” in two different ways. You can use it to tell your dog to give back something, or to drop something. However, “¡dámelo!” is mostly used to tell someone to hand over something. With this command, you can say “¡dame la pelota!” (give me the ball!) or “¡dame la correa!” (give me the leash!).

¡Dame la pata!

When you are a dog owner, people are always asking you if you’ve taught your dog how to give handshakes. “¡Dame la pata!” is the Spanish dog equivalent to “give me a handshake!” and is an all-time favorite trick. This is a very specific command, so you’ll have to teach your dog through repetition and reward him every time.

¡Echado!

“¡Echado!” is the command we use to tell our dogs to lie down. It translates to “lay down” and comes from the verb “echar.” “¡Echado!” describes the position of lying down, but you can also use “¡échate!” (lie down!) as an alternative. As a tip, it’s easier to train dogs to follow this command when they’re already lying down.

¡Gira!

“¡Gira!” translates to “spin!” and comes from the verb “girar.” Many Spanish speakers like this command because, when dogs spin many times in a row it kind of looks like they are dancing. For this reason, you might also hear Spanish speakers say “¡gira, baila!” (spin, dance!).

¡Rueda!

Many people confuse “¡rueda!” with “¡gira!” but these commands have different uses. The command “¡rueda!” comes from the verb “rodar.” When you say “¡rueda!” you’re asking your dog to roll over. Dogs can have a hard time deciphering commands when they aren’t clear enough, so make sure to remember the distinction to avoid confusing your dog!

¡Hazte el muerto!

“¡Hazte el muerto!” is another dog command people have loved for centuries. It translates to “play dead!” and is mainly used to amuse others. It can be hard to teach, so make sure to be very patient and practice this trick with your dog many times until he or she can understand what you mean.

¡No! 

“¡No!” is one of the most basic commands, and the easiest to use with dogs because it works in different languages. If you’re having trouble figuring out how to stop your dog, just know that you can always rely on a firm “¡no!” to let them know you want them to stop what they’re doing. 

Different Dog Breeds in Spanish

There are hundreds of dog breeds, and learning their Spanish translations can help you describe your dog with accuracy. Some dog breeds are pronounced and spelled similarly in Spanish, like Beagle, Golden Retriever, or Labrador Retriever. But, others can be quite misleading if you’re not familiar with the Spanish language. Below you can find a table with the Spanish spelling for some common dog breeds:

Learn Spanish with Langoly!

Using Spanish to train your dog can be a fun way to put your Spanish skills to the test. But, there are other Spanish resources you can use to study. Apps have brief lessons you can complete to learn vocabulary for different topics. If you want to tackle complex grammar, Spanish books have hundreds of examples to make these topics easy to understand. With podcasts, you can learn more about culture while you test your comprehension. But, YouTube videos have subtitles to make understanding the language easier.

One of the best ways to study Spanish is to use an online course. We created the Siempre Spanish course to teach you Spanish the way it’s spoken in real life. Follow a structured lesson plan and learn to use Spanish in different common scenarios. Study with the help of native speakers and become conversational quickly!