Teaching Your Puppy Basic Commands

Training your puppy in basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” can foster a stronger bond between you and your furry friend, and improve your communication with each other.

It is best to start teaching these commands as soon as you bring your puppy home. Begin by saying the command and offering a reward for successfully executing it. Consistency is key, so make sure to use treats and verbal praise every time your puppy obeys.

If your puppy does not follow the command, avoid punishing them, and instead try again patiently. With practice and perseverance, your pup will learn these basic commands and develop a stronger connection with you.

Sit

Sit is one of the most natural commands for most dogs to learn, which means it’s a good place to start. This command is also a great transition to other more complicated commands like stay and come.

To teach sit, kneel in front of your dog and say the command “sit.” Move your hand with a treat so your puppy follows it. When your dog sits down, give them a treat and praise them. Repeat this a few times until they can do it without your help.

As they get more comfortable with the sit command, add a release word (like “okay”) to your commands to encourage them to lie down instead of jump up. When your dog can stay in this position for a few seconds, you can practice with them from a distance to get better control and build the duration.

When your dog can hold a solid “sit-stay” for fifteen to twenty seconds, you can delay the delivery of treats and focus on building their patience. Practice this exercise several times, adding distance and varying the duration until your pup can hold a solid “sit-stay” 80 percent of the time.

Stay

Basic obedience training for your puppy or dog should include teaching them to stay. This command instructs them to remain in one spot until a release command is given, and it can be an invaluable skill in many situations.

To train your pup to stay, the first step is to introduce them to the command. Use a calm and assertive voice while saying “stay” and place a treat or toy in front of them. Allow them to take the reward only after you give the release command, like “okay.” Gradually increase the duration of the “stay” command as they become more comfortable with it.

Next, increase the distance between you and your pup while giving the command to stay. Begin a few feet away and reward them if they remain still. Slowly increase the distance and reward them for successful attempts.

Finally, practice the “stay” command in different environments, starting with a familiar space and then gradually adding new environments. Repeat the training process in each new location until your pup is comfortable staying in any setting.

This command is crucial for emergency situations and can also prevent your dog from running into the street or causing trouble in public places. By teaching your pup to stay, you’ll ensure their safety and help them become a well-behaved and obedient companion.

Come

Training your puppy or dog to come when called is a critical behavior to teach. Not only will it make your walks and playtime more enjoyable, but it can also be a lifesaver if your pup ever gets loose. With consistency and patience, you can teach your pup to come when called.

The first step is to choose a word or phrase to use as your “come” cue. It should be something that your pup can easily identify and will not get confused with other words or phrases.
Once you have picked your cue, practice the behavior with your pup. Start by calling your pup to come from a short distance and rewarding them when they do. As your pup becomes more comfortable with the behavior, gradually increase the distance.

When calling your pup to come, make sure to use a happy and encouraging tone. You also want to make sure that your pup is not distracted by any exciting stimuli, such as another person or animal. If your pup starts to wander off, give them a gentle reminder to come back to you.

When your pup comes to you, reward them with a treat or a fun game. This will reinforce the behavior and help them understand that coming to you is a good thing. With time and consistent practice, your pup will learn that coming when called is the best thing they can do.

Leave It

Training your puppy or dog to Leave It is an important behavior to teach for the safety of both you and your pet. This command helps keep them from eating or playing with something potentially dangerous or from running off and getting into trouble. The Leave It command is especially important for dogs that are prone to counter-surfing or stealing items from around the house.

The first step in teaching Leave It is to make sure your puppy or dog is familiar with basic commands such as sit, stay, and come. Once your pup is comfortable with these commands, you can start to teach them Leave It.

Start by having your pup sit and stay while you put a treat in your hand and close it. Hold your closed fist in front of your pup and tell them to “Leave It.” If they try to get the treat, close your hand and repeat the command. Once they have stopped trying to get the treat, praise them and give them a different treat.

Once your pup understands the concept of Leave It, you can start to use it in different situations. If you are out for a walk and your pup tries to grab a stick or toy, tell them to Leave It and reward them for not taking it. If your pup tries to eat something off the floor, tell them to Leave It and distract them with a toy or treat.

With patience and consistency, your pup will soon learn to Leave It when you give the command.

Down

Training your puppy or dog to DOWN can be a fun and rewarding process. The first step is to start off slow and build up gradually. Start by sitting your pup on a flat surface, such as the floor, and have them stay in this position. Once they are in position, then praise them and reward them with a treat.

Next, you will want to use a command such as “Down” or “Lay Down”. Make sure to say the command in a firm but not harsh tone. Once your pup or dog is in the down position, make sure to reward them with a treat or a verbal praise. Repeat this process until your pup or dog is consistently obeying the command.

Once your pup or dog is consistently responding to the command, then you can begin to add distractions. Start off by having your pup or dog stay in the down position while you move around them. If they stay in position, reward them with a treat and praise. As your pup or dog continues to improve, you can add in more and more distractions.

Finally, with enough practice, your pup or dog should be able to stay in the down position, even when there are distractions or when you are away from home. Training your pup or dog to DOWN is an important skill that will help keep them safe, and it can be a fun and rewarding process for both you and your furry friend.