Essential Commands for Your Puppy

Teach in this order — one at a time

1. Name Recognition — Before anything else. Say the puppy’s name in a happy tone; when it looks at you, reward immediately. This is the foundation for all other training.
2. Sit — First formal command. Simple, quick to learn, and builds focus. Hold a treat above the nose; as the puppy’s rear drops, say “Sit” and reward. [Hand motion: I accompany this command with an upward sweep of an open hand, palm up as a visual support.]
3. Look / Watch Me — Teaches the puppy to make eye contact and pay attention to you before a command is given.
4. Stay — Builds on Sit. Teaches impulse control. Start with one second, then gradually increase duration and distance. [Hand motion: I accompany this command in front of his face with a palm up “stop” signal like a cop or crossing guard does to stop traffic.]
5. Come (Recall) — Critical safety command. Always make coming to you a positive experience — never scold a puppy that comes when called and when you call him, step backwards so he has to keep coming to you. Praise a lot when he is right in front of you. Then back away a distance and do it again. A number of times each training session.
6. Down (Lie Down) — Harder than Sit; requires more submission. Lure the puppy’s nose to the floor from a Sit position. [Hand motion: I accompany this command with a flat palm motion as if slapping a table. Do in front of him and praise a lot.] (This is done more easily if he has a leash which you can gently pull downward so it encourages him to lie down flat.)
7. Leave It — Prevents the puppy from picking up dangerous or unwanted items. Essential for safety. Should be done at a attention-catching volume. You will see him react when it works. Praise him immediately as he leaves the object alone.
8. Drop It — Releases something already in the mouth. Teach separately from Leave It.
9. No / Fooey, Ah-Ah — A general correction word used when he teething or nibbling on something like your finger or hand. Use consistently, calmly, and without anger. One word, same tone every time, followed by a lot praise when stops.
   1. Heel / Walk Nicely — Leash manners. Introduced once the basics above are solid. Teach the puppy to walk without pulling. While on leash on your LEFT, walk a bit and stop, saying “sit”. If he fails to sit, you have not trained him enough with the SIT command. Repeat more training with #2.

      If he sits, pause for about 5 seconds and then say “Mico, HEEL” as you begin walking…he should stick by your left, a step behind and follow…..praise, praise, praise. Repeat the HEEL process a number of times for this session.
      Do the HEEL training repeatedly each training session until he does it consistantly.

10. Place / Go to Your Spot — Sends the puppy to a designated mat or bed. A more advanced command that builds independence and calm behaviour. You can entice him to the spot using a treat tossed on to the area where you want him to go. When he goes there, praise, praise, prasie.

Train in short sessions of 5–10 minutes. Always end on a success with much praising. Consistency and patience are everything.
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