5 Basic Puppy Training Commands Every Pup Should Know

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Today’s blog post is all about basic puppy training commands. If you’re a proud new puppy parent or thinking of getting a furry friend soon, this post is for you.

Training your puppy is an important aspect of their development, and mastering these basic commands sets the foundation for a well-behaved and obedient companion.

In this article, we’ll cover essential commands like sit, stay, come, and leave it. But that’s not all – we’ll also throw in a few fun commands to spice things up!

Not only are these commands crucial for your pup’s safety, but they also strengthen the bond between you and your four-legged pal.

So, grab your treats and get ready to discover effective techniques that will unlock your puppy’s full potential.

Let’s embark on this exciting training journey together!

Getting Started With Puppy Training

Getting started with puppy training is an exciting and rewarding experience that sets the stage for a well-behaved and happy companion.

Here are some essential tips to help you get started:

1. Start Early, Start Right Away

The earlier you start training your puppy, the greater the potential for success. In fact, the very first day you bring your new puppy home is an ideal time to begin their training.

Training doesn’t have to be complex, start by introducing the basic training commands, which we’ll get into below, and establish positive training habits.

Puppies have a natural affinity to learn and are highly receptive during their developmental stages.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly your pup grasps new concepts and masters essential commands.

2. Be Consistent And Patient

Consistency is key when it comes to puppy training. Make sure to use the same commands, gestures, and rewards consistently to avoid confusion.

Remember, puppies are still learning, so be patient and understanding.

Celebrate small victories, and keep in mind that progress takes time.

3. Establish A Training Schedule

Consistency extends beyond commands – it includes a regular training schedule. Set aside dedicated training sessions each day, and keep them short and focused.

Puppies have short attention spans, so aim for multiple short sessions rather than one long session.

Short training sessions help keep your puppy engaged and prevent them from getting overwhelmed.

4. Create An Ideal Training Environment

Creating the right training environment is crucial for success! Find a quiet and distraction-free area in your home where you can work with your puppy.

Minimize background noise and potential interruptions to maximize your puppy’s focus and learning.

5. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a highly effective training method. Reward your puppy with treats, praise, or their favourite toy when they successfully follow a command.

This positive association motivates your puppy to repeat the desired behaviour.

Avoid harsh punishments or physical corrections, as they can undermine trust and hinder the training process.

6. Start With Basic Commands

Start the training journey with the most basic commands like sit, stay, and come. These commands lay the foundation for more advanced training later on.

Start slowly by breaking down each command into simple steps, rewarding your puppy for each milestone achieved.

Make sure your puppy has mastered one command before moving on to the next.

7. Involve The Whole Family

Consistency is not only important for you but for everyone in your household.

Involve family members in the training process, ensuring that everyone follows the same commands and techniques.

This consistency helps your puppy understand the expectations across all interactions.

By following these tips, you’ll create a positive training experience for your puppy while establishing a strong foundation for future training sessions.

The 5 Essential Puppy Training Commands

In this section, we’ll explore the 5 essential training commands that every puppy should know.

You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to effectively communicate and shape your puppy’s behaviour.

1. Teaching Sit Command

The sit command establishes impulse control and attentiveness. It is useful in various situations such as before meals, when greeting visitors, or during walks.

Steps:

1. Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose.
2. Move the treat up and back over your puppy’s head.
3. As your puppy’s head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower into a sitting position.
4. Once your puppy sits, say “Sit”.
5. Reward your puppy with the treat.

2. Teaching Stay Command

The stay command teaches your puppy to remain in one place until given a release cue.

It helps develop patience and self-control, ensuring their safety and preventing them from running into potential dangers.

Steps:

1. Start with your puppy in a sitting position.
2. Open your palm towards them and say “Stay”.
3. Take a small step backward and then return to your puppy.
4. Reward your puppy for staying in place.
5. Gradually increase the distance and duration of the stay.

3. Teaching Come Command

The come command, also known as recall, is crucial for maintaining control and ensuring your puppy’s safety.

It strengthens the bond between you and your puppy and allows for off-leash activities in a controlled environment.

Steps:

1. Start in a distraction-free environment.
2. Crouch down and call your puppy’s name followed by “Come”, using an excited tone of voice.
3. Use encouraging gestures such as clapping your hands, patting your legs, or offering a treat as a reward, to encourage your puppy to move towards you.
4. When your puppy reaches you, reward them with treats and praise.
5. Gradually increase the distance and introduce more challenging situations with mild distractions.
6. Practice the command in different locations.

4. Teaching Lie Down Command

The lie down command teaches your puppy to settle down and relax on command.

It can be useful in situations where you want your puppy to remain calm or need them to stay in one place for an extended period.

Steps:

1. Begin with your puppy in a sitting position.
2. Hold a treat in front of your puppy’s nose.
3. Slowly lower the treat straight down to the ground.
4. As your puppy follows the treat with their nose, their body will naturally lower into a lying down position.
5. Once your puppy lies down, say “Lie Down”.
6. Reward your puppy with the treat.

5. Teaching Leave It Command

The leave it command is crucial for preventing your puppy from picking up or consuming harmful objects or substances.

It teaches them to ignore or move away from items you want them to avoid.

Steps:

1. Hold a treat in your closed fist and show it to your puppy.
2. Allow your puppy to sniff and paw at your hand to generate interest in the treat.
3. Say “Leave It” firmly.
4. Redirect your puppy’s attention from your closed fist by offering them a different treat from your other hand.
5. Make sure the alternate treat is more enticing and appealing to them.
6. Once your puppy stops pawing and sniffing at your closed fist and pays attention to the alternate treat, praise them and reward them with the new treat.
7. Repeat and gradually increase the duration that your puppy must leave the initial treat untouched before receiving the reward.

Remember to be patient, use positive reinforcement, and keep training sessions short and enjoyable. Consistency and practice are key to successfully teaching these commands.

Fun Puppy Training Commands Beyond The Basics

As promised, I have included some fun and impressive training commands you can teach your puppy.

1. Teaching Give Paw Command

The give paw command teaches your puppy to offer their paw for a friendly handshake, fostering social interaction and strengthening the human-canine bond.

This command was the second one that my Golden Retriever Ellie learned, after “sit”. She mastered it within a week or two and did it all the time, even when it wasn’t asked of her. (I think she just wanted treats all the time, LOL!)

Steps:

1. Start by having your puppy sit.
2. Hold a treat in your closed fist and allow your puppy to sniff and paw at your hand.
3. As your puppy’s paw makes contact with your hand say “Give Paw”.
4. Open your hand to receive their paw.
5. Reward your puppy with praise and treats.
6. Repeat the process, gradually introducing the verbal command earlier in the sequence.

2. Teaching High Five Command

Once your puppy has mastered the give paw command, taking their paw shaking skills to the next level with a high-five is a natural and delightful progression.

Follow along with the steps in this short video below:

3. Teaching Rollover Command

The rollover command showcases your puppy’s agility and coordination while providing mental and physical stimulation.

Steps:

1. Start with your puppy in a lie-down position.
2. Hold a treat close to their nose and move it in a circular motion towards their shoulder.
3. As your puppy follows the treat, their body will naturally roll over.
4. Once your puppy completes the roll, say “Rollover” and reward them with the treat and praise.
5. Practice the movement gradually, shaping it into a smooth roll.

4. Teaching Spin Command

The spin command is a playful and visually appealing trick that showcases your puppy’s agility and coordination.

Steps:

1. Start with your puppy standing in front of you.
2. Hold a treat close to their nose, then slowly move it in a circular motion away from their body.
3. As your puppy follows the treat in a circular motion, say “Spin” and reward your puppy with treats and praise once they complete the rotation.
4. Practice this command in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to reinforce their ability to spin on cue.

Adding these commands to your training sessions brings variety and enjoyment, strengthening your bond with your puppy while improving their skills.

Final Thoughts

Training your puppy is an exciting and important part of being a dog owner. Teaching them basic commands not only helps them behave well but also strengthens your bond and makes everyday life easier.

Remember to keep the training sessions short, use positive reinforcement, and be patient as your puppy learns new skills.

The basic training commands are your puppy’s foundation for success. Once your puppy has mastered the basics, you can incorporate some of the fun commands such as give paw, high five, or rollover.

By incorporating training into your puppy’s everyday routine, you’ll be amazed by their progress and skills.

If you’re looking to expand your puppy’s skill set even further, check out 101 Dog Tricks, a fantastic book filled with a wide array of tricks to keep your furry friend engaged and entertained.

Has your puppy mastered the basic training commands? Which command did your puppy learn right away? Can your puppy do any other impressive tricks? Share your comments below, I would love to hear from you!