Foundations of Training: Teaching Your Puppy Basic Commands

Training your puppy isn’t just about teaching tricks or obedience—it’s about building communication, trust, and a lifetime of good behavior. Many new puppy owners make the mistake of waiting until their pup is “older” to start training, missing the critical early learning period when puppies are like sponges, ready to absorb new information.

When to Start Training: Earlier Than You Think!

Your puppy’s education begins the moment they arrive home. By 8 weeks of age, puppies are fully capable of learning basic commands and household rules. In fact, this early period (8-16 weeks) represents a developmental stage when puppies learn most easily and form habits that can last a lifetime.

Benefits of Early Training

• Establishes clear communication between you and your puppy
• Prevents problem behaviors before they become habits
• Builds confidence through mental stimulation and success
• Strengthens your bond through positive interaction
• Creates a well-mannered dog who’s a pleasure to live with

Setting Up for Success: Training Fundamentals

Before diving into specific commands, understand these key principles that apply to all puppy training:

The Right Environment

• Minimize distractions when first teaching new skills
• Choose quiet, familiar spaces for initial training sessions
• Gradually increase environmental challenges as skills improve
• Remove tempting items (toys, food) during focused sessions

Training Session Structure

• Keep sessions short: 5-10 minutes maximum for young puppies
• Train frequently: Several mini-sessions throughout the day are better than one long session
• End on success: Always finish with something your puppy can do well
• Quit before fatigue: Stop before your puppy gets tired or frustrated

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

• Reward behaviors you want to see repeated
• Use high-value treats for new or challenging skills
• Deliver rewards within 1-2 seconds of the desired behavior
• Pair treats with verbal praise to eventually reduce treat dependency
• Use a marker word (“Yes!” or “Good!”) to precisely identify correct behaviors

The Big Five: Essential Commands Every Puppy Should Know

These five foundational commands form the building blocks of good canine citizenship and will serve your puppy throughout their life.

1. Sit

Why it’s important: “Sit” is often the first command taught because it’s relatively easy and incredibly useful. A sitting dog can’t jump on people, dash through doors, or pull on leash.

Step-by-step teaching:

1. Hold a small treat close to your puppy’s nose
2. Move the treat slowly up and back over their head
3. As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower
4. The moment their bottom touches the floor, say “Yes!” and give the treat
5. After several successful repetitions, begin saying “Sit” just before you move the treat
6. Practice in different locations and gradually phase out the lure motion

Troubleshooting: If your puppy backs up instead of sitting, try training with their back against a wall or sofa.

2. Come (Recall)

Why it’s important: A reliable recall can literally save your dog’s life, allowing you to call them away from dangers and give them more freedom.

Step-by-step teaching:

1. Start in a distraction-free environment
2. Say your puppy’s name followed by “Come!” in an excited, happy voice
3. Run backward a few steps to encourage movement toward you
4. When they reach you, give lavish praise and several small treats
5. Hold their collar gently before giving treats (to prevent “drive-by” approaches)
6. Release them to play again as an additional reward

Making it stronger:

• Never call your puppy for something unpleasant (medication, bath time, etc.)
• Always reward coming to you, even if they took their time
• Practice with increasing distances and distractions
• Play recall games like back-and-forth recalls between family members

3. Down

Why it’s important: “Down” teaches impulse control and creates a settled position that can last longer than “sit.” It’s perfect for restaurant visits, guests in your home, or anytime you need your dog to stay in one place.

Step-by-step teaching:

1. Start with your puppy in a sit position
2. Hold a treat in front of their nose
3. Slowly move the treat straight down to the floor
4. Then move it slightly forward along the ground (in an “L” shape)
5. When your puppy’s elbows and belly touch the floor, mark with “Yes!” and reward
6. After several successful repetitions, begin saying “Down” before moving the treat
7. Gradually phase out the lure by using the same hand motion without a treat

Troubleshooting: If your puppy stands up when you move the treat down, try again from the sit position and move the treat more slowly.

4. Stay

Why it’s important: “Stay” builds impulse control and creates safety in many situations—keeping your dog from rushing through doors, jumping out of cars, or approaching potential dangers.

Step-by-step teaching:

1. Start with your puppy in a sit or down position
2. Say “Stay” while giving a hand signal (palm facing dog)
3. Wait just 1-2 seconds initially
4. Return to your puppy, mark with “Yes!” and reward
5. Gradually increase duration before the reward
6. Once solid, add distance by taking one step back before returning
7. Separately, practice adding distractions

The three D’s of stay:

• Duration: How long your puppy remains in position
• Distance: How far you can move away
• Distraction: What activities can occur during the stay

Work on increasing these elements one at a time, not simultaneously.

5. Leave It

Why it’s important: “Leave it” can prevent your puppy from picking up dangerous items (medication, toxic foods) or inappropriate objects (trash, other animals’ waste).

Step-by-step teaching:

1. Place a low-value treat in your closed fist
2. Present your fist to your puppy and say “Leave it”
3. Wait for your puppy to stop trying to get the treat (sniffing, pawing, mouthing)
4. The moment they pull away or look away, mark with “Yes!” and give a DIFFERENT treat from your other hand
5. Progress to placing the treat on the floor covered by your hand
6. Then place it on the floor uncovered but be ready to cover it if your puppy moves
7. Finally, practice with items on the floor with your puppy on leash

Troubleshooting: If your puppy gets too excited or frustrated, make the exercise easier and build success before increasing difficulty again.

Building Consistency Across Family Members

Training is most effective when everyone in the household follows the same rules and protocols. Inconsistency confuses puppies and slows progress.

Family Training Guidelines

1. Hold a family meeting to agree on:
   • What commands will be used (e.g., “come” vs. “here”)
   • What rules will be enforced (e.g., no dogs on furniture)
   • What reward systems will be used
2. Create a command chart listing each command, the verbal cue, hand signal, and training steps that everyone can reference
3. Schedule training demonstrations where one person shows others how to practice each skill
4. Have training sessions with all family members present so your puppy learns to respond to everyone
5. Assign age-appropriate training responsibilities to children (with supervision)
6. Maintain consistency with visitors by briefly explaining your training methods

Making Training Part of Daily Life

Formal training sessions are important, but integrating commands into everyday activities creates real-world reliability.

Simple Ways to Integrate Training

• Sit before meals: Have your puppy sit before placing down their food bowl
• Sit before going outside: Require a sit before opening doors
• Down during family meals: Practice duration down-stays during your dinner time
• Come for good things: Call your puppy throughout the day for treats, petting, or play
• Leave it on walks: Practice with safe items you place on your walking route
• Multiple short sessions: Use commercials during TV time for quick 2-minute training bursts

Problem Solving: When Training Challenges Arise

When Your Puppy Won’t Focus

• Train before meals when they’re hungry but not starving
• Use higher-value treats for more challenging environments
• Ensure they’ve had appropriate physical exercise first
• Check that you’re not asking too much too soon

When Progress Stalls

• Go back to an easier version of the exercise
• Change treats to something more motivating
• Train in a less distracting environment
• Keep sessions shorter and more frequent
• Film yourself to check your technique

When Regression Occurs

• Temporary regression is normal during developmental stages
• Adolescence (5-18 months) often brings training challenges
• Return to basics and rebuild gradually
• Maintain consistency and patience

Beyond the Basics: What Comes Next

Once your puppy has mastered the fundamental commands, you can expand their training vocabulary:

Intermediate Skills to Teach

• Wait: Similar to stay but more informal, used at doorways, curbs
• Drop it: Release an item from their mouth on cue
• Settle: Go to a designated spot and relax
• Leash walking: Walk without pulling
• Name recognition: Respond by looking at you when their name is called

Advanced Training Options

• Trick training: Builds mental stimulation and strengthens your bond
• Canine Good Citizen: A 10-skill certification of good manners
• Sports introduction: Agility, rally, scent work foundations
• Therapy dog preparation: For appropriate temperaments

The Importance of Mental Stimulation

Training isn’t just about obedience—it provides crucial mental exercise that helps prevent behavior problems.

Mental Exercise Ideas

• Food puzzles: Provide meals in puzzle toys
• Scent games: Hide treats for your puppy to find
• New tricks: Teach a new skill each week
• Training circuits: Practice several known commands in sequence
• Environmental changes: Rearrange training areas for new challenges

Conclusion: Building a Foundation for Lifelong Learning

The training you do in these early months creates the foundation for your entire relationship with your dog. By using positive methods, keeping sessions short and fun, and integrating training into daily life, you’ll create a puppy who:

• Responds reliably to basic cues
• Looks to you for guidance
• Enjoys learning new things
• Can be managed safely in various situations
• Has the self-control needed for good manners

Remember that training is a journey, not a destination. Even adult dogs continue learning throughout their lives. The investment you make now in positive, consistent training will reward you with a well-mannered companion who’s a joy to live with for years to come.