Training your puppy is one of the most important things you can do for them. It helps them become well-behaved and obedient, and it sets them up for success in the future. In this blog post, we will be discussing the 10 essential commands every puppy should learn. These commands are easy to teach and will help establish a strong bond between you and your furry friend.
Sit
Teaching your puppy to sit is one of the first commands you should teach them. It’s an easy command to teach and has many benefits. For example, when your puppy sits, they are less likely to jump on people. To teach your puppy to sit, hold a treat above their nose and slowly move it towards their head. As they follow the treat with their nose, their bottom will naturally go down into a sitting position. Once they are in position, say the command “sit” and give them the treat.
One common mistake people make when teaching their puppy to sit is holding the treat too high or too far away. Make sure the treat is at nose level and close enough for your puppy to reach it.
Stay
The “stay” command is important for keeping your puppy in place and preventing them from running off. To teach your puppy to stay, have them sit and then put your hand up with your palm facing them, as if you’re telling them to stop. Say the command “stay” and take a step back. If your puppy stays in place, give them a treat. Gradually increase the distance you step back as your puppy gets better at staying.
One common mistake people make when teaching their puppy to stay is moving too quickly. Make sure to take small steps back and praise your puppy every time they stay in place.
Come
The “come” command is important for getting your puppy to come to you when you call them. To teach your puppy to come, start by calling their name and then saying “come”. When they come to you, give them a treat and praise them. Gradually increase the distance between you and your puppy as they get better at coming when called.
One common mistake people make when teaching their puppy to come is using a negative tone of voice. Make sure to use a happy, positive tone of voice to encourage your puppy to come to you.
Down
The “down” command is important for getting your puppy to lay down. This command can be useful for calming your puppy down in a high-energy situation. To teach your puppy to lay down, have them sit and then hold a treat in front of their nose. Slowly move the treat towards the ground. As they follow the treat with their nose, their body will naturally go down into a lying position. Once they are in position, say the command “down” and give them the treat.
One common mistake people make when teaching their puppy to lay down is not being patient enough. It may take a few tries for your puppy to understand what you want them to do, so be patient and keep practicing.
Leave it
The “leave it” command is important for getting your puppy to leave something alone, such as food or toys that are not theirs. To teach your puppy to leave it, start by showing them a treat and then putting it on the ground. When they go to grab the treat, cover it with your hand and say the command “leave it”. Once your puppy stops trying to get the treat, give them a different treat as a reward.
One common mistake people make when teaching their puppy to leave it is not being consistent. Make sure to use the same command every time you want your puppy to leave something alone.
Drop it
The “drop it” command is important for getting your puppy to release something from their mouth, such as a toy or a dangerous object. To teach your puppy to drop it, hold a toy in front of them and say the command “drop it”. When your puppy drops the toy, give them a treat and lots of praise.
One common mistake people make when teaching their puppy to drop it is being too forceful. Never try to physically force something out of your puppy’s mouth, as this can be dangerous for both you and your puppy.
Heel
The “heel” command is important for getting your puppy to walk calmly beside you on a leash. To teach your puppy to heel, start by putting them on a leash and standing next to them. Say the command “heel” and start walking. If your puppy pulls or tries to walk ahead of you, stop walking and wait for them to come back to your side. Once they are walking calmly beside you, give them a treat.
One common mistake people make when teaching their puppy to heel is not being consistent. Make sure to use the same command every time you want your puppy to walk calmly beside you.
Go to bed
The “go to bed” command is important for getting your puppy to go to a designated spot, such as their crate or bed. To teach your puppy to go to bed, start by showing them their designated spot and saying the command “go to bed”. When they go to their spot, give them a treat and lots of praise.
One common mistake people make when teaching their puppy to go to bed is using a spot that is too small. Make sure your puppy has enough room to move around and be comfortable in their designated spot.
Remember…
Training your puppy is important for their well-being and your own. By teaching your puppy these 10 essential commands, you can help them become well-behaved and obedient. Remember to always use positive reinforcement and be patient with your furry friend. Happy training!
