Essential Puppy Training Commands Every New Owner Should Know
Part 2
Essential Puppy Training - Now that your puppy has mastered the foundational commands of name recognition, "sit," and "stay," you're ready to tackle the advanced training that will transform them into a safe, well-mannered companion. These next four commands – "come," "down," "leave it," and "wait" – focus on safety, impulse control, and real-world applications that will serve you both for life. While the first three commands established basic communication and positioning, these advanced commands require higher levels of self-control and trust from your puppy.
Don't worry if your puppy occasionally forgets their earlier training as you introduce these new concepts – this is completely normal. Continue reinforcing "sit" and "stay" while gradually adding these more complex behaviors. Remember, you're not just teaching individual commands; you're building a comprehensive communication system that will keep your puppy safe in countless situations, from preventing them from eating something dangerous to ensuring they come back to you in an emergency. Let's dive into these life-saving commands that will give you confidence and give your puppy the freedom that comes with being trustworthy.
Command 4: Come
Reliable recall is arguably the most important command your puppy will ever learn. A strong "come" command can prevent your puppy from running into traffic, getting lost, or getting into dangerous situations. It's also essential for off-leash freedom and enjoyable outdoor adventures as your puppy grows.
Always start recall training in a secure, enclosed area like your home or a fenced yard. Get down to your puppy's level to appear more inviting, open your arms wide, and call their name followed by "come" in an enthusiastic, happy voice. When they start moving toward you, continue encouraging them with praise like "good come!" The moment they reach you, reward immediately with treats, praise, and even gentle play.
Practice recall multiple times daily during normal activities. Call your puppy to come when it's dinner time, when you're sitting on the couch, or when they're naturally moving toward you anyway. This builds positive associations and makes "come" mean wonderful things happen.
Never, ever use "come" when you need to do something your puppy perceives as negative, like ending playtime, giving medicine, or when you're frustrated with their behavior. This is the fastest way to ruin recall training. Instead, go get your puppy directly for these situations, or call them for something positive first, then handle the necessary task.
The ultimate test of recall training is when your puppy immediately stops what they're doing and runs to you, even when distracted by interesting smells, other dogs, or exciting activities. This level of reliability takes months to develop, but starting with these foundations in a controlled environment sets you up for success.
If your puppy isn't responding to recall, check your energy level – puppies respond to enthusiasm. Also evaluate your rewards – recall should earn the jackpot of treats and praise since it's such an important behavior.
Command 5: Down
The "down" command is the ultimate relaxation cue and demonstrates the highest level of trust and submission your puppy can offer. A puppy who lies down on command is showing they feel secure and are willing to be in a vulnerable position. This command is invaluable for managing energy levels and creating calm behavior in exciting situations.
Your puppy should be comfortable with "sit" before learning "down." Begin with them in a sitting position directly in front of you. Hold a treat close to their nose and slowly lower it straight down to the ground between their front paws. As their head follows the treat down, slowly draw the treat away from their body along the ground. Most puppies will naturally lie down to continue following the treat.
The moment their elbows touch the ground, say "down," immediately followed by "yes!" and give the treat with enthusiastic praise. If your puppy tries to stand up instead of lying down, keep the treat closer to the ground and move it more slowly. Some puppies need extra encouragement to get comfortable with this vulnerable position.
Practice "down" 3-5 times per session, always ensuring your puppy is successful before ending. Once they're lying down reliably with the treat lure, begin saying "down" just before you start the luring motion. Eventually, phase out the treat lure entirely while maintaining the verbal command.
Never physically push or pull your puppy into the down position. This creates negative associations and can make your puppy resistant to the command. Let the treat guide them naturally, and be patient if they need extra time to understand what you're asking.
Your puppy has mastered "down" when they respond to the verbal command alone and remain lying down calmly until you release them. This command becomes especially useful for teaching patience during exciting times like when guests arrive or during family meals.
Command 6: Leave It
"Leave it" is potentially the most important safety command your puppy will learn. This command can prevent them from eating dangerous items, picking up harmful objects during walks, or engaging with things that could hurt them. It's also crucial for preventing resource guarding and teaching respect for boundaries.
Start with a treat in your closed fist. Let your puppy sniff and investigate your hand, but keep it firmly closed. They'll likely paw, lick, and mouth your hand trying to get the treat. Wait patiently until they stop trying and pull their nose away from your hand, even briefly. The instant they stop investigating, say "yes!" and reward them with a different treat from your other hand – never give them the treat from the closed fist.
Once your puppy consistently stops investigating your closed fist, add the verbal command. Say "leave it" just before they start to pull away, then reward. Practice this until they respond to "leave it" by immediately backing away from your closed fist.
Next, place a treat on the ground while keeping your hand ready to cover it. Say "leave it" and be prepared to cover the treat if they move toward it. When they ignore the ground treat, reward with a different, higher-value treat from your hand. This teaches them that "leave it" means better things come from you.
The most common mistake is saying "leave it" after your puppy has already picked up the forbidden item. This command works best as prevention, not correction. Also, never give your puppy the item they were told to leave – always reward with something different and more valuable.
Advanced applications include leaving food on coffee tables, ignoring other dogs' toys at the park, and avoiding dangerous items during walks. A reliable "leave it" command gives you confidence to give your puppy more freedom while keeping them safe
Command 7: Wait
"Wait" differs from "stay" in that it's a temporary pause rather than an extended hold. This command is incredibly practical for daily life situations like preventing your puppy from bolting through doors, rushing to
their food bowl, or jumping out of the car before it's safe.
The most natural place to introduce "wait" is at doorways and during feeding time. When approaching a door with your puppy, stop just before opening it and say "wait" while holding your palm up toward them. Wait 2-3 seconds, then say "okay" and open the door. If they move forward before your release word, simply close the door and try again.
For feeding time, hold your puppy's food bowl while saying "wait." Most puppies will naturally pause when they see you're not putting the bowl down yet. After just a few seconds, say "okay" and place the bowl down. Gradually increase the wait time as they understand the concept.
Practice "wait" at the top and bottom of stairs, before getting out of the car, and before crossing streets during walks. This command teaches patience and prevents dangerous rushing behavior that could lead to injuries or escapes.
Unlike "stay," "wait" is meant to be brief – usually just a few seconds to a minute maximum. It's about creating a pause for safety and manners, not an extended exercise in self-control. Your puppy should learn that "wait" means "pause briefly until I give you permission to proceed."
The beauty of "wait" is how seamlessly it integrates into daily routines. Soon, your puppy will naturally pause at doorways and wait for permission, making them a more polite and safer family member. Success means your puppy automatically stops forward motion when they hear "wait" and looks to you for the release command.
Training Schedule & Timeline
Weeks 1-2: Building the Foundation
Focus exclusively on name recognition and basic "sit." These first two weeks are about establishing communication and routine. Practice name recognition 15-20 times daily in very short sessions. Introduce "sit" only after your puppy consistently responds to their name. Don't worry if progress seems slow – you're building neural pathways that will support all future learning.
Weeks 3-4: Adding Movement Commands
Once "sit" is reliable, introduce "stay" and "come." Start with very short stays (2-3 seconds, one step away) and practice recall only in secure, enclosed spaces. Your puppy should be responding to their name and sitting on command before moving to these more complex behaviors. Continue reinforcing earlier commands while adding new ones.
Weeks 5-6: Control and Safety Commands
Introduce "down" and "leave it" during this phase. These commands require more impulse control, so be patient if your puppy struggles initially. "Down" builds on the "sit" foundation, while "leave it" is crucial for safety. Practice "leave it" with low-value items first, gradually working up to more tempting objects.
Weeks 7-8: Integration and Refinement
Add "wait" to your training repertoire and begin combining commands. Practice "sit-stay" sequences, "come-sit" combinations, and use "wait" in real-world situations. This phase focuses on making commands reliable in various contexts and building your puppy's ability to follow multiple-step instructions.
Ongoing: Real-World Application
After 8 weeks, continue reinforcing all commands while gradually increasing difficulty and distraction levels. Training never truly ends – it evolves into lifelong communication patterns that keep your dog mentally stimulated and well-behaved.
Daily Training Routine
Essential Puppy Training - Structure your day around natural training opportunities. Morning sessions work well before breakfast when your puppy is alert and motivated by food rewards. Practice basic commands like "sit" and "down" before meals, making training part of your feeding routine.
Throughout the day, look for spontaneous training moments. Practice "come" when your puppy is naturally moving toward you, reinforce "wait" at doorways, and use "leave it" when they show interest in inappropriate items. These real-world applications are often more valuable than formal training sessions.
Evening sessionscan focus on practicing more challenging combinations and reviewing the day's progress. Keep these sessions calm and positive, ending with easy commands your puppy knows well. This creates positive associations with training and helps your puppy wind down for bedtime.
Integrate commands into daily activities rather than treating training as separate from normal life. Use "sit" before meals, "wait" at doors, and "come" when calling them inside. This practical application helps commands become natural communication rather than just tricks performed during training time.
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
When Puppies Don't Respond
If your puppy seems uninterested in training, first evaluate your timing and environment. Puppies learn best when they're alert but not overstimulated. Training immediately after vigorous play or when they're
tired from a long walk often leads to poor focus and frustration.
Attention span issues are completely normal in young puppies. If your puppy seems distracted after just a few repetitions, end the session positively and try again later. Gradually building attention span is part of the training process – don't fight against your puppy's natural developmental limitations.
Motivation problems often stem from treat selection. What you think is a high-value reward might not excite your puppy. Experiment with different treats, or try training before meals when hunger increases motivation. Some puppies respond better to praise and play than food rewards – discover what truly motivates your individual puppy.
Environmental distractions can derail even the best-trained puppy. If your puppy was responding well indoors but struggles outside, you've moved too quickly to a challenging environment. Step back to easier settings and build success gradually. Training is about setting your puppy up to succeed, not testing their limits.
Regression and Setbacks
Expect some regression during normal developmental phases. Many puppies seem to "forget" their training around 4-6 months of age during adolescence. This is normal brain development, not defiance. Continue consistent training without becoming frustrated, and most puppies work through this phase within a few weeks.
Setbacks often occur during times of stress or change – moving to a new home, schedule disruptions, or family changes can temporarily affect your puppy's responsiveness. Maintain your training routine as much as possible during these transitions, but be patient if progress slows temporarily.
If your puppy regresses significantly or stops responding to previously learned commands, evaluate potential causes. Are you being consistent with commands and rewards? Has something changed in their environment or routine? Sometimes medical issues like ear infections can affect hearing and responsiveness, so consult your veterinarian if regression is sudden or severe.
Remember that learning isn't always linear. Some days will be better than others, and that's perfectly normal. Focus on overall trends rather than daily performance, and celebrate small victories along the way.
Multi-Dog Households
Training puppies in multi-dog homes requires additional strategy. Other dogs can be both helpful models and major distractions. Start training your puppy individually, away from other dogs, until they have a solid foundation in each command.
Older dogs can inadvertently interfere with training by competing for treats or attention. Use baby gates or separate rooms to create distraction-free training spaces. Once your puppy responds reliably in isolation, gradually practice commands with other dogs present at a distance.
Be careful not to inadvertently reward your other dogs during puppy training sessions. This can create competition and jealousy. Consider having family members work with other dogs simultaneously, or ensure other pets are occupied with their own activities during training time.
Some puppies learn faster by watching older dogs perform commands, while others become too distracted by their companions. Observe your puppy's individual response and adjust your approach accordingly. Group training can be introduced once individual commands are solid.
Building on the Basics
Advanced Command Combinations
Essential Puppy Training - Once your puppy masters individual commands, begin combining them for more sophisticated communication. "Sit-stay" while you prepare their food teaches patience and prevents jumping or pushy behavior during meals. Start with very brief stays and gradually increase duration as your puppy's self-control develops.
"Come-sit" sequences are excellent for greetings and safety situations. Practice calling your puppy to come, then immediately asking for a sit when they reach you. This prevents jumping on people and gives you a calm, controlled way to manage interactions with visitors or other dogs.
Emergency recall protocols involve training an ultra-reliable recall command using a special word like "here" or your puppy's name combined with "NOW." Practice this only in safe environments and reward extraordinarily well – this command is reserved for genuine emergencies when your puppy's safety depends on immediate response.
Work on command reliability in challenging situations. Practice "stay" while bouncing a ball nearby, "leave it" with increasingly tempting items, and "come" when your puppy is engaged in interesting activities. These advanced scenarios prepare your puppy for real-world situations where distractions are high.
Real-World Application
Transferring commands from your living room to the real world requires gradual exposure to increasing levels of distraction. Start in your backyard, then quiet neighborhood streets, eventually working up to busy parks or pet stores. Each new environment represents a small challenge that builds your puppy's confidence and reliability.
Public spaces offer excellent training opportunities but also present new challenges. Practice "sit" while people walk by, "stay" when other dogs approach, and "leave it" around dropped food or interesting smells. These real-world scenarios test your training and reveal areas that need additional work.
Teaching commands to all family members ensures consistency and prevents confusion. Everyone should use the same words, hand signals, and reward timing. Different family members practicing the same commands also helps your puppy generalize that these rules apply to everyone, not just their primary trainer.
Consider your puppy's energy levels and attention span when training in new environments. A tired puppy from a long walk won't focus well on training, while an overly excited puppy in a stimulating environment may be too distracted to learn effectively.
Next Steps in Training Journey
These seven essential commands provide the foundation for virtually any advanced training you might want to pursue. Tricks like "roll over," "play dead," or "speak" all build on the basic principles of attention, positioning, and impulse control you've established.
Puppy training classes offer socialization opportunities and professional guidance for more complex behavioral issues. Look for classes that use positive reinforcement methods and focus on building confidence rather than dominance. Many puppies benefit from the structured environment and social interaction these classes provide.
Professional trainers become valuable when you encounter specific behavioral challenges beyond basic commands. Resource guarding, excessive barking, separation anxiety, or aggressive tendencies require specialized knowledge and experience to address safely and effectively.
Remember that training is an ongoing process that evolves as your puppy grows. Adolescent dogs may challenge boundaries, adult dogs need mental stimulation to prevent boredom, and senior dogs benefit from gentle training to maintain cognitive function. The foundation you build now will serve you throughout your dog's entire life.
Conclusion
Mastering these seven essential commands – name recognition, sit, stay, come, down, leave it, and wait – creates the foundation for a lifetime of clear communication with your puppy. These aren't just tricks to impress friends; they're practical tools that keep your puppy safe, build their confidence, and strengthen your bond every single day.
Remember that every puppy learns at their own pace. Some may master all seven commands in 6 weeks, while others need 3-4 months to achieve reliability. What matters most is consistency, patience, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout the process. Your puppy wants to please you and will respond to clear, kind guidance.
The investment you make in training during these early months pays dividends for years to come. A well-trained puppy becomes a well-behaved adult dog who's welcome everywhere, confident in various situations, and a joy to live with. They're also safer, as they respond reliably to commands that can prevent dangerous situations.
Start today with just one command – perhaps "sit" if your puppy doesn't know it yet, or improving reliability on a command they're still learning. Set aside 5 minutes this evening for a positive training session, and remember that every small step forward is progress worth celebrating.
Essential Puppy Training - Your puppy's eagerness to learn and please you is one of the most beautiful aspects of the human-dog relationship. With these essential commands as your foundation, you're well on your way to building a partnership based on clear communication, mutual respect, and endless joy. The training journey you start today will enhance every aspect of your life together for years to come.
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