How to Train Your Puppy Basic Commands: The Ultimate Guide

This is how to Train your Puppy Basic Commands

Are you the proud new owner of a puppy? If so, congratulations!

Bringing home, a new puppy is an exciting experience.

However, it also comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most important things that pet parents need to complete is puppy training.

This can be a daunting task, but don’t worry – we are here to help! In this blog post, we will provide you with everything you need to know about training your new pup.

We’ll cover basic commands, fix bad behaviors, and how to prevent unwanted behavioral issues. Let’s get started!

You can use a treat to get their attention!

Start by teaching your puppy basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down. As he learns these commands, you will be able to move on to more difficult tasks.

It is important to be consistent with your training – make sure every family member is using the same technique to prevent confusion.

Repetition is the name of the game, but you do not want to overdo a training session.

A good rule of thumb is to keep it short and sweet – five to ten minutes at a time a couple of times a day is perfect.

Remember to end on a positive note – if your puppy is tired and or getting frustrated, it is time to call it a day. Training should be fun for both you and your puppy!

How to Train Your Puppy Basic Commands: The Ultimate Guide

Commands to teach your Puppy!

The Sit Command

Training the sit command is one of the most basic commands that your pup will learn. It is also an important command for dog owners to know, as it can help to keep your puppy safe and under control in various situations. Start in a quiet area first.

To teach the sit command, start by having your puppy in a standing position. Then, hold a treat close to his nose and say the dog to “sit.” As he smells the treat, lure his head back until he sits. As soon as his bottom hits the ground, say “good dog” and give him the treat. If he stands back up, simply repeat the process.

The goal is to build duration for about thirty seconds in the beginning stages of your training by increasing the seconds over time. A longer duration will come as your pup matures, don’t push him too far too fast. Remember this is about the repetitions.

It’s a good idea to incorporate eye contact with this command in the beginning. Your puppy will start to understand that once he has completed the task there is more input coming from you next and the puppy will be eager to learn. This is called engagement.

With a little practice, your dog will learn to associate the word “sit” with the action of sitting down.

Training Tips:

Start your training session in a quiet area first

Applies to short distance work, If your dog takes a step toward you, you step toward your dog and ask for the sit again.

The Down Command

Training the “down” command is a basic but essential dog training cue. It is used to tell your puppy to lie down from a standing or sitting position. This cue can be helpful in many situations, such as when you want your dog to lie down so you can put on their leash or when you need them to remain calm and relaxed, such as in the vet exam room.

To teach your puppy the down command, start by having him in a standing or sitting position. Then, hold a treat close to their nose and slowly lower it to the ground while saying the word “down.” Once he is lying down, give him the treat and praise him. Repeat this process several times until he is consistently responding to the cue.

Same as the sit command, you will want to build duration up to about thirty seconds.

Training tips:

If your puppy keeps getting distracted then attach a leash to prevent your pup from wandering off.

Use a higher value reward to keep your dog engaged in the training session.

The Come Command

Training one of the most important commands your puppy needs to know is the come command.

Training this command is essential for recall and can help keep your puppy safe in an emergency.

To teach the come command, start by putting your puppy on a leash and rewarding them for following you. Then, gradually increase the distance between you and your puppy while still rewarding them for coming to you. Once your puppy is consistently coming to you from a distance, you can begin to add distractions like toys or food to make sure they still come when called.

Be excited when your puppy is following the command, this will build excitement and energy every time you ask your pup to come to you even if there are distractions. You have to be more exciting than your environment.

Once he understands the training lessons in a quiet place then move him to a new environment and repeat the steps all over again.

Training Tip:

Encourage all family member’s to participate by calling the pup to come to them and rewarding while in a group. Kinda like playing volleyball. Bounce the pup from person to person with the come command.

The Place Command

Training a place command is a dog training term for when you tell your puppy to go to a specific spot, on an object and stay there until released.

It is one of the most versatile commands a dog can learn. 

This basic command can be used the get your pup to go into the dog crate, train self-control when guests come over, train food manners while the family is cooking or eating, loading into a vehicle and the list goes on.

To teach the place command, lure your pup onto the object that you want your puppy to stay on and ask your dog to sit. Once there, wait a few seconds then reward and entice the puppy off. Rinse and repeat the whole process until he understands the command.

Gradually work duration, distance, and distractions.

The Heel Command

Training the heel command is an important dog training cue that helps dog owners to keep their dogs by their side while walking.

It is also a useful cue for getting your dog to follow you around in general.

To teach the heel command, start by luring your puppy into the correct position with a treat. Once your puppy is in the correct position, say the word “heel” and give your puppy the treat. Repeat this process several times until your dog gets the hang of it. Then, begin adding some distractions so that your dog has to focus to follow the cue.

For example, you can try walking around in a circle or changing directions frequently until your pup will walk politely beside you.

Door Manners

Training door manners refer to the dog’s behavior when someone enters or leaves the door.

For example, the puppy should not jump on the person, should not run out the door, and should not bark excessively.

For your puppy to learn door manners, start by teaching your puppy to sit patiently. Then, practice opening and closing the door while your puppy is in a sit position. Then move into just having the door open and your puppy sitting before heeling through the door or recalling him with a come command if he approaches the door.

Finally, work on adding distractions, like people coming in and out of the room or different types of doors (e.g., sliding glass doors).

Enforce this every time you take your pup through a door.

Training Tip:

Keep your dog on a leash while teaching this exercise for safety.

How to Train Your Puppy Basic Commands: The Ultimate Guide

Good News! You Can Use These Basic Commands to Fix Bad Behavior Problems!

Every puppy is different, but for most dogs, there are some common behavior problems that puppies often exhibit that can be frustrating for their owners. Some of these unwanted behaviors include chewing, mouthing, barking, and jumping.

With these important skills, you will learn through basic dog body language what bad behavior is and how to train them accordingly.

Let’s Address Them Now.

Chewing on Things They Shouldn’t

It’s normal for puppies to want to chew on things – after all, they’re exploring the world with their mouths! However, this can quickly become a problem if your pup starts chewing on household items or furniture.

The good news is that there are a few simple dog training techniques that can help put a stop to this destructive behavior.

One of the most effective methods is to provide your pup with plenty of chew toys – this will help redirect his chewing impulses and prevent him from getting into trouble. Never leave your puppy unsupervised when he is out of the crate. give him a firm “no” if he starts chewing on something he is not supposed to and redirect him back to his toys.

Mouthing

Mouthing is a normal dog behavior that is often seen in puppies but can continue into adulthood. It involves your puppy using his mouth to explore his environment, which can include gently nipping at your hand or clothing.

Mouthing is different from biting, which is done with more force and can be dominant or aggressive behavior. While mouthing may seem harmless, it’s important to teach your puppy that it’s not acceptable behavior. If not properly addressed, mouthing can escalate into biting.

The best way to stop your puppy from mouthing is to provide him with chew toys that are specifically designed for dogs. Teaching your puppy to associate chewing on these toys with positive reinforcement (such as treats or praise) will help discourage him from mouthing you.

Never encourage mouthing through roughhousing with your puppy as this potentially will escalate into dominant or aggressive behaviors as your puppy gets older. Playing with a tug toy is a healthier option.

Barking

Dogs bark for many reasons, including boredom, fear, anxiety, and hunger. If your puppy is barking excessively, the first step is to identify the trigger. Once you know what is causing the barking, you can begin to address the behavior.

For example, if your puppy is barking out of boredom, training sessions of basic commands can help to provide mental stimulation and help him learn to be calm and quiet. If he is barking out of fear or anxiety, training sessions can help him to build confidence and feel more secure when training basic commands near his triggers.

Lastly, if your puppy is barking out of hunger, make sure he is getting enough food and water.

By addressing the underlying cause of the barking, you can help to stop your puppy from barking excessively as he gets older.

Jumping

One of the most common dog-related complaints is dog jumping. It’s understandable why this behavior can be so frustrating – after all, no one wants to be greeted by a pair of muddy paws= prints on their clothes or to have an overbearing dog invade their space.

Fortunately, there are a few simple techniques that can help to stop a puppy from jumping.

One of the most effective is to ignore the puppy when it jumps up, only giving attention when all four paws are on the ground. If your puppy is persistent, only give attention when your puppy is in a sit position. Over time your puppy will understand that jumping is not rewarding and will offer the sit position for affection.

Another option is training your dog not to jump is to attach a leash to his collar and step on it. Every time he jumps he will self-correct. Again over time, this behavior will dissipate as he learns this is no longer fun or rewarding.

Additional Tips:

If you are getting frustrated put your puppy in the crate and revisit the session at a later time.

Always end on a happy note.

Try different types and flavors of puppy treats

Switch up your commands to keep your puppy guessing.

Add playtime in-between you’re training process to help lessen frustration.

Add a hand signal to each of your commands. A visual cue will come in handy once he is ready for advanced training.

Train with a leash if your puppy is too distracted by his environment.

Avoid the dog park at this stage, your puppy needs to learn all the basics first.

How to Prevent Unwanted Behavioral Issues in The Beginning

Separation Anxiety

One of the most difficult things about being a dog owner is dealing with separation anxiety. It can be heartbreaking to leave your dog at home alone, knowing that they’re feeling anxious and stressed.

However, there are a few things you can do to help prevent separation anxiety.

First, make sure that you have a routine for leaving and returning home. Dogs thrive on predictability, so having a set schedule will help them feel more secure.

Second, provide your dog with plenty of exercise and stimulation along with training sessions. A tired dog is a happy dog, and they’ll be less likely to become anxious when you’re not around. Finally,

Finally, never allow him to sleep with you in the beginning, this prevents him from learning to be comfortable with separation and he also learns (in dog language) that he is equal to you in the pack ranking.

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Excessive vocalization for a long period and they cannot settle

Shaking

Destroying objects when you’re not present

Licking or chewing on themselves

Eliminating in the crate or house when you’re not present

Excessive drooling

Vomiting presents in severe cases

Loss of appetite

Diarrhea

Dominance

One way to help prevent dominant tendencies in a puppy is through training your dog.

Training your dog can help your puppy to understand what behaviors are expected, and proper socialization will help the puppy to learn how to interact appropriately with other dogs and people.

Crate training your dog can also be helpful, as it can provide the puppy with a safe space that is their own. It is important to be consistent with training and socialization, as well as provide plenty of exercises, mental stimulation, and training your dog in basic dog obedience. 

With patience and positive reinforcement, you can help your puppy to grow into a well-behaved dog. (After all, we want to have fun and safe adventures with our new furry friend, right?)

Dominant behaviors include:

Barking at you for attention.

Mounting

Leaning on you

Sitting on your feet

Wrapping their paws around you like they are giving you a hug

Jumping for attention

Now that you have learned how to train your puppy let’s recap the General Guidelines!

Overall, Puppies are a lot of work, but they can be so rewarding.

Teaching your dog basic commands is an important part of responsible pet ownership.

With some patience and positive reinforcement, you can train your puppy to be well-behaved. Just remember to have some fun too – after all, that’s what having a puppy is all about!

Don’t forget to train in new environments.

Keep training short and sweet.

Now that you have learned how to teach your new puppy all the basic commands it’s time for you to begin training!

Time to Start Training!