Bringing a puppy home is exciting, but it’s also a crucial time for training. Teaching essential commands early helps build a well-behaved, confident, and obedient dog. Here are the first five commands every puppy should learn, with a step-by-step guide to getting them right.
Dogs learn through association—one thing leads to another. We need to use this to our advantage. From now on, anything you love, say ‘YES’ followed by a reward.
✅ They sit – YES, Reward
✅ They settle – YES, Reward
✅ They look at you – YES, Reward
By doing this, the word ‘YES’ predicts a reward, reinforcing good behaviours and increasing their frequency.
One of the easiest and most useful commands, ‘Sit’ helps control excitement and is the foundation for many other commands.
✅ Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose.
✅ Slowly move your hand upwards so their head follows the treat and their bum naturally lowers.
✅ The moment they sit, say ‘YES’ and reward with the treat.
✅ Repeat several times daily in short, fun sessions.
⭐ Pro Tip: Avoid pushing their back down – let them figure it out themselves!
From working with numerous of puppies, crate training is invaluable for your puppy to have sufficient quality rest (up to 18 hours), stopping destructive behaviours, and making toilet training so much easier.
✅ With an open crate, throw some pieces of food inside and allow your pup to go in and explore.
✅ From here, make it into a game by throwing food in and closing the door before quickly opening it.
✅ Your pup will then go running in and getting the food.
✅ Then add the word ‘Crate’ or ‘Bed’ and build duration over time.
A strong recall is one of the most important safety commands.
✅ Start in a distraction-free area and kneel down.
✅ Say your puppy’s name followed by ‘Come’ in a happy tone.
✅ When they come, say ‘YES’ and reward generously with treats and excitement.
✅ Repeat frequently and gradually introduce distractions.
🎯 Top Game: One person holds the puppy by a lead or gently by the collar while the other person calls them. This builds their desire and drive to run to you. After a few seconds, release the puppy to the other person. This is called a restrained recall.
This command prevents puppies from grabbing unsafe objects or food they shouldn’t have.
✅ Hold a treat in both hands – one closed in a fist and one open.
✅ Show the closed fist and say ‘Leave it.’
✅ If they stop trying to get it, say ‘YES’ and reward with the treat from the open hand.
✅ Repeat, gradually increasing difficulty by using more tempting items.
⭐ Pro Tip: Be consistent! If you sometimes let them have the forbidden item, they’ll keep trying.
These five commands lay the groundwork for a well-trained, obedient dog. Keep training sessions short, fun, and positive. Consistency is key, and always reward success with treats, praise, or play.
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