Puppy Basic Commands Training
Created by Cheli
Step‑by‑step guide to teach sit, stay, and come commands to a new puppy.
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Checklist Items (24)
Prepare Training Environment
Set up a quiet, safe area with treats, a leash, and a clicker if used.
Choose a distraction‑free space
Pick a room or yard area with minimal noise and foot traffic.
Gather training supplies
Have small, soft treats, a leash, collar, and optionally a clicker ready.
Schedule short sessions
Plan 5‑minute training blocks, 2‑3 times per day, to keep the puppy focused.
Teach the Sit Command
Use a treat lure to guide the puppy into a sitting position while saying “Sit”.
Get the puppy’s attention
Hold a treat close to the puppy’s nose so it focuses on you.
Lure the head upward
Move the treat slowly back over the puppy’s head, causing it to lower its rear.
Say the cue
As the puppy’s bottom touches the ground, clearly say “Sit”.
Reward immediately
Give the treat and praise within half a second of the sit.
Repeat and fade the lure
Practice 5‑10 repetitions per session, gradually using only the hand signal then the verbal cue.
Teach the Stay Command
Build duration and distance while the puppy remains in the sit or down position.
Start with a solid sit
Ensure the puppy reliably sits on cue before adding stay.
Introduce the stay cue
With the puppy sitting, say “Stay” and hold your palm out like a stop sign.
Reward brief success
After 1‑2 seconds of stillness, click/treat and release with “Okay”.
Increase duration gradually
Add a second each successful round, aiming for 10‑15 seconds before moving on.
Use a long line in a safe area
Attach a 10‑15 ft leash to allow gentle guidance if the puppy wanders.
Call with an enthusiastic tone
Say the puppy’s name followed by “Come!” in a happy, high‑pitched voice.
Reward upon arrival
When the puppy reaches you, give a treat, praise, and a quick play session.
Practice with distractions
Gradually add mild distractions (toys, other people) and increase distance.
Limit session length
Train for no more than 5 minutes at a time to prevent fatigue or boredom.
End on a positive note
Finish each session with a successful command and a reward.
Use consistent words and signals
Always use the same cue word and hand signal for each command.
Gradually increase difficulty
Once a command is reliable indoors, practice outdoors with mild distractions.
Puppy gets distracted easily
Reduce environmental distractions and increase treat value to regain focus.
Puppy won’t sit on cue
Go back to luring with a treat and ensure the puppy is not overstimulated or tired.
Puppy breaks stay prematurely
Shorten the stay duration, reinforce with frequent rewards, and avoid punishing mistakes.
Puppy ignores the come command
Use a long line to gently guide, increase excitement of your voice, and reward heavily.