Basic obedience is one of the first things you need to do with a new puppy. The good news is it’s easy and can be done very quickly.

Getting Started

Before you begin, gather some small, high-value treats, or some kibble if they’re excited about it, and find a quiet, distraction-free location. Keep training sessions short and positive, using plenty of praise and encouragement. Here are some general tips:

Be consistent: Use the same cues and hand signals every time.

Reward desired behavior: Mark the exact moment your dog performs the command correctly with a clicker or word like “yes,” then immediately reward with a treat and praise.

End on a positive note: If your dog gets frustrated, take a break and come back to it later.

Sit

Hold a treat near your dog’s nose and slowly move it upwards and backward over their head. As their head follows the treat, their hindquarters will naturally sink down into a sitting position.

Say “sit” as their rear touches the ground, then click or mark and reward with the treat and praise.

Gradually phase out the lure by rewarding closer and closer approximations to the sitting position without the treat in your hand.

Down

With your dog in a sitting position, hold a treat near their nose and slowly lower it towards the ground between their paws.

As their head follows the treat, their body will follow and they’ll lie down.

Say “down” as their front elbows touch the ground, then click or mark and reward with the treat and praise.Gradually phase out the lure as with the sit command

Gradually phase out the lure as with the sit command.

Stand

Ask your dog to sit, then hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly move it upward a few inches. This will encourage them to rise onto their front legs.

Say “stand” as their front paws come off the ground, then click or mark and reward with the treat and praise.

Gradually phase out the lure as with the other commands.

Stay

Ask your dog to sit or down, then hold your open palm in front of their face and say “stay.”

Take a small step back. If they stay, click or mark and reward with praise. Gradually increase the distance and duration as they succeed.

Practice in increasingly distracting environments as your dog becomes more reliable.

Leave It

Hold a treat in a closed fist, present it to the dog, and say “leave it.”

If your dog looks away or ignores the treat, click or mark and reward with praise and a different treat.

Gradually increase the difficulty by using higher-value treats and leaving them out for longer durations.

Come

Attach a leash to your dog’s collar and stand a few feet away.

Call their name in an excited, happy voice and say “come.”

When they start moving towards you, click or mark and reward with praise and a treat.

Practice in different locations and/or without the leash, and gradually increase the distance as your dog becomes more reliable.

Back Up

Ask your dog to stand in front of you, facing you.

Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it backward, keeping it just out of reach while moving into their space a bit. Their natural tendency will be to take a step backward to follow the treat.

Say “back” as they move their feet backward, then click or mark and reward with the treat and praise.

Gradually phase out the lure as with the other commands.

Remember, patience and positive reinforcement are key to successful dog training. Be consistent, reward good behavior, and keep training sessions fun and engaging.