What are the first commands to teach a puppy? Get Your Pet Thinking

How to Teach a Dog to Come When Called

You’ll want to begin training a recall (come when called) in a quiet area and indoors.

Sit with your puppy and say their name or the word “come.”

Each time you say “come/name,” give your puppy a treat. They don’t have to do anything yet! Just repeat the word and give a treat. Easy!

Next, drop a treat on the floor near you. As soon as your puppy finishes the treat on the ground, say their name again. When they look up, give them another treat.

Repeat this a couple of times until you can begin tossing the treat a little further away, and they can turn around to face you when you say their name. Note: Avoid repeating your puppy’s name; saying it too often when they don’t respond makes it easier for them to ignore it. Instead, move closer to your puppy and go back to a step where they can be successful at responding to their name the first time.

Once your puppy can turn around to face you, begin adding movement and making the game more fun! Toss a treat on the ground and take a few quick steps away while calling your puppy’s name. They should run after you because chase is fun!

When they catch you, give them a lot of praise, treats, or play with a tug toy. Coming to you should be fun! Continue building on these games with longer distances and in other locations. When training outside (always in a safe, enclosed area), it may be helpful to keep your puppy on a long leash at first.

When your puppy comes to you, don’t reach out and grab them. This can be confusing or frightening for some dogs. If your puppy is timid, kneel and face them sideways and offer treats as you reach for the collar.

Never call your dog to punish! This will only teach them that you are unpredictable and that it is a good idea to avoid you. Always reward your dog heavily for responding to their name, even if they have been up to mischief!

How to Teach a Dog to Lie Down

“Down” can be taught very similarly to “sit.”

You can wait for your dog to lie down (beginning in a boring, small room such as a bathroom can help).

Capture the behavior by reinforcing your dog with a treat when they lie down.

Give them the release cue to stand back up (and encouragement with a lure if needed) and then wait for them to lie down again.

When they are quickly lying down after standing up, you can begin saying “down” right before they do so.

You can also lure a down from a sit or stand.

Hold a treat in your hand to the dog’s nose and slowly bring it to the floor.

Give the treat when the dog’s elbows touch the floor to start.

After a few practices, begin bringing your empty hand to the floor and giving the treat after they lie down.

When they can reliably follow your hand signal, begin saying “down” as you move your hand.

Just like with sitting, never use force to put your dog into a down position.

A Dog Training Treat Pouch & Other Necessities

When getting started with teaching your puppy the following five basic commands, you’ll need a few essential dog training tools.

Here is a list of some things you might need for your training sessions:

dog treat pouch

high-value training treats (think boiled chicken, freeze-dried beef, or cheddar cheese)

clicker

doggie poop bag dispenser and waste bags in case of accidents

dog toy if your pup isn’t food-motivated

dog leash

A dog treat pouch with a belt clip or carabiner that attaches to your person is going to be one of the most helpful tools for you. A fanny pack works great as a training bag, too. A front pocket? Not so much. Unless you don’t mind getting the sticky treat smell stuck on your pants.

Hands-free treat pouches give you quick and easy access to the goodies your puppy desires for a job well done. The best dog pouches are machine washable and come with a drawstring, velcro, or magnetic closure to conveniently keep kibble in place when on the go.

The Outward Hound Treat Tote easily attaches to your waist belt or pants loop for quick access to your dog’s favorite treats while training your pup and teaching them new commands. When not used to store tasty treats, this handy dog pouch can also serve as a convenient storage space for training accessories such as a dog whistle or tennis ball while dog walking.

It also features a top drawstring that fastens to seal treats so they stay fresh and secure during playtime or training. Plus, it’s water-resistant to stay dry when your puppy salivates over what’s inside.

How to Teach The First 7 Things To Your Dog: Sit, Leave it, Come, Leash walking, Name…)

Are you looking for the best commands to teach your dog? Although having a trained dog isn’t the same as having a balanced dog, teaching your dog basic dog training commands can be helpful when tackling behavior problems despite whether they are existing ones or those that may develop in the future.

So where exactly do you start with teaching your dog commands? While taking a class may be beneficial for you and your pup, there are many dog training commands you can teach your dog right at home. Below, we’ve listed the best list of dog commands you and your pup are guaranteed to enjoy.