Teach your new puppy these basic commands, so they know your expectations.
Your puppy can start a simple training as soon as they arrive home, typically around eight weeks old. This will make your new puppy feel secure in their ability to satisfy their goals. Always keep training sessions brief and on a positive note. In this article, you’ll learn to teach your new puppy these basic commands, so they know your expectations.
Show Your Puppy What “Sit” Means
There are various methods for teaching your puppy what “sit” means. The first method is capturing. Stand in front of your pet, holding some of their dog treats or food. Then, wait for them to sit. Say “yes” and give them a treat. Then, step back to motivate them to stand and wait for them to sit. Don’t forget to provide another treat after they sit. After several repetitions, begin saying “sit” right as they start to sit.
Another option is luring. Get down before your dog, holding a treat as a lure. Secondly, put the treat before their nose and slowly lift the food above their head. Allow them to nibble at the treat when their bottom touches the ground. Repeat this up to two times with the food lure, eliminate the food, and use your empty hand. But continue to reward the dog after they sit. Once your pet understands the hand signal to sit, you can start to say “sit” before you provide the hand signal.
Begin Training a Recall
You’ll want to start training a recall in a quiet area or indoors.
- Sit with your pup and say their name or “come.” Whichever you choose, keep it consistent. Switching between commands will confuse your pup.
- Give them a treat every time you say come/name. Keep repeating the word and give them a treat.
- Drop a doggie treat on the floor near you. Repeat their name as soon as your new puppy finishes the treat on the ground. Give them another treat when they look up.
- Repeat this several times until you can start tossing the treat further away, and they can turn around to see you when you say their name. Also, avoid repeating your puppy’s name or come. Saying it often will make it easier for them to ignore it. Instead, move closer to your pet and take a step back so they can respond to their name/come the first time.
- Begin adding movement and making the game fun once your pup can turn around to face you. They should run after you because the chase makes it fun!
- When your furry friend catches you, give them lots of treats, praise, or play with a tug toy. When performing new puppy training with these basic commands outside, keeping them on a long leash at first would be helpful.
Teaching Loose-Leash Walking
Leash training can be relaxing and fun, with the goal being to walk very politely on a loose leash without pulling. Regardless of the cue you select, be consistent and always utilize the same word.
- First, ensure your puppy is comfortable wearing a leash. Give your pup treats as you put the leash on every time.
- Then, stand next to your dog with the leash in a loose loop and provide them multiple treats for sitting or standing next to your leg.
- Next, take one step forward and encourage your pup to follow by giving them another treat as they catch up.
- Always give treats to your pup at your knee’s or hip’s level as you walk forward.
- When they run in front of you, turn in the opposite direction, call them, and reward them. Then continue. Make sure to give treats further apart gradually.
- Eventually, your pet will walk happily at your side when they’re on a leash. Allow them to sniff and give the cue “let’s go!” in a cheerful voice after some time of sniffing. Remember to reward them for coming back to you and walking with you.
Teaching Your Dog to Lie Down
Teach your new puppy to lie down with the following methods:
- Beginning in a dull, small room, you can wait for your pet to lie down.
- Reward your pet with a treat when they lie down.
- Give them the release cue to stand back up and wait for them to lie down again.
- When your dog quickly lies down after standing up, you can say “down” before they do so.
You can also lure a down from a sit or stand.
- Hold a treat to the dog’s nose and slowly place it on the floor.
- After the dog’s elbows touch the floor, provide a treat.
- After various practices, bring your empty hand to the floor and give the treat after they lie down.
- When they can reliably follow your hand signal, begin to say “down” as you move your hand.
Similar to sitting, never use force to put your dog into a down position.
Teaching Your Dog to Stay
You can also teach your new puppy to stay. A puppy who knows how to stay will remain sitting until you ask them to stand up through another cue known as the “release word.” First, you need to teach the release word. Secondly, stand with your puppy in a stand or sit, toss a treat on the floor, and say your command as they step forward to retrieve the treat. By repeating this process several times, you are teaching your dog that the release cue signifies moving your feet.
When your pet understands the release cue, put them in a sit, turn, and face them. Make sure to provide them with a treat. Pause, give your dog another treat for positioning in a sit, then release them. Moreover, you can begin to add distance once your pet can stay in a sit for multiple seconds. Once your puppy can stay, you can gradually increase the distance. To ensure successful training, make the sessions short.
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!