A well-behaved puppy can be the best reward after some time of training. Whether you choose to let a dog trainer or you continue the training yourself, you have to start with the most basic commands. This will ease things up when you start teaching more advanced commands. For sure, it may be difficult, especially at first, but things will soon be smoother as you go along and your dog has familiarized with the system.
By being strict with your schedule and being consistent and patient, your dog will soon be doing these basic commands as you wish:
Sit
Almost every dog in a household must know how to react when they are told to sit. This is always one of the first things that we teach. But if your dog has not learned how to do this command, hold a treat above its head, then, moving it behind its head. Say “sit” as your dog is going to do the action to have its sight on the treat. Repeat the command every time you give a treat. When he is familiarized with the sound, do it even without the treat.
Come
It can be very fulfilling that your puppy comes to you when told. To teach the command, leash your puppy and stay away until the leash is stretched to its limit. Pull the leash and utter “come.” You can do it with a treat when the task is to done. Later on, you can teach the hand gesture of “come.”
Down
The command “down” can be very useful when your dog is misbehaving or getting too excited. To teach your puppy to follow the command, you should use a strong-smelling treat or some treats that your dog likes very much. Bring it in front of your puppy then move it to the floor. While your dog is trying to lie on its stomach, say “down.”
Off
“Off” should be one of the first things to teach your cute little fur baby. This will spare your seat covers and curtains from being destroyed. Your walls will not also have so much scratch on them. The same is true when you don’t want your puppy to be touching your clean lower garment when going out from your home.
You can teach this command by holding a treat in front of your puppy’s nose. Keep on repeating “off” until your dog backs off. A reward should be given after this training or your puppy will feel unloved.
Stay
“Stay” or “Wait” are very similar commands and you can choose one to get the same reaction. You use this command when you want your dog to stay where it is while you may be doing another thing. You can also use the command when leaving the house or when they are going into some unsafe place.
Wait
To teach the “stay” command, when with your dog, move quietly further from your pet. If your puppy attempts to follow you, utter the command, “stay.” To use the command, “wait,” move ahead of your dog and close the screen or glass door behind you leaving your dog. “Wait.” Tell your dog. A reward should always come after this training as your dog may feel unwanted.
Drop It
Puppies will always want to bring anything to their mouth to chew it, from socks to shoes, and anything else. So that your puppy will not go on chewing some things and destroy them, it should know how to follow the “drop it” command. To teach your furry baby, have two identical toys. Give one to your dog and hold the other with your hand. If your puppy gets the other toy by its mouth, say “drop it” while dropping the toy you are holding.
Leave It
While going for walks, you may be disturbed because your dog seems to be interested in many things along the way. If you come across a thing that seems new to it, your puppy will surely stop. “Leave it” is the right command so that your dog will continue walking with you.
Here’s how to teach your dog the command. Hold two treats on both hands. Show your dog the other while hiding your other hand behind your back. Close your fist to hide the treat you showed. The dog will surely come near your hand. Utter “leave it” until your pup feels helpless. When it backs off, give the other treat from your other palm.
You see. These are simple techniques that you can do. As long as you do these things frequently, your dog will surely be able to follow them in no time. As always said, be persistent, consistent, and patient during the training.
I think the command “stay” should be implicit in the command “sit.” And, I use a release command to end the “sit” command.
The heel command is also a great one.
I use it for my dog to walk by my side, not ahead or behind me.
As my dog got older and lost her hearing I had to switch to all hand signals for her to understand everything. It took a little time, for us to get our signals straight, but I think it’s important to teach them both hand signals and verbal commands. Good luck 🍀 😉