Essential Commands

The Reality of Bringing Home a Puppy

Let me tell you about the day I realized that teaching a puppy commands is less like programming a computer and more like negotiating with a tiny, furry diplomat who speaks a different language and is easily distracted by butterflies. The key isn't just getting them to perform actions – it's about building a shared vocabulary that will last a lifetime.

The Big Three: Your Foundation

Let's start with the commands that will save your sanity (and possibly your furniture):

Sit: The Gateway Command

Think of "sit" as your puppy's version of "please." It's their way of asking politely for anything they want. Here's the secret:

Hold a treat close to their nose
Slowly move it up and back over their head
As their head tilts up, their bottom naturally goes down
The moment it touches the floor - click or "yes!" and treat
Repeat until they're sitting faster than a game show contestant hitting the buzzer

Come: The Life-Saving Command

This one could literally save their life someday. The trick is making "come" more interesting than whatever fascinating thing they're currently investigating:

Start with short distances
Use an excited, happy voice
Reward generously when they arrive
Never call them for anything unpleasant
Practice, practice, practice (and then practice some more)

Stay: The Patience Builder

Teaching "stay" is like teaching meditation to a toddler who's had too much sugar. Start small:

Ask for a sit
Wait one second
Reward while they're still sitting
Gradually increase duration
Add distance only when they're rock solid

The Training Toolkit

Essential equipment:

Tiny, high-value treats (the smellier, the better)
A treat pouch (unless you enjoy pockets full of liver bits)
A clicker (optional but helpful)
Endless patience (required)
Sense of humor (crucial)

The Golden Rules of Training

Keep It Short Five minutes of focused training beats an hour of frustration.
End on Success Even if that success is smaller than you planned.
Be Consistent Everyone in the household needs to use the same commands.
Reward Generously Especially in the beginning.
Stay Positive Your puppy can read your mood better than you think.

When Things Go Wrong

Because they will. Common challenges:

Selective hearing (usually when squirrels are involved)
Confusion about commands
Regression in training
Excitement overload
Environmental distractions

Solutions:

Go back to basics
Reduce distractions
Increase reward value
Break commands into smaller steps
Practice in different locations

Signs of Progress

Watch for these victories:

Faster responses
More reliable performance
Working with mild distractions
Offering behaviors before being asked
Maintaining commands for longer periods

Remember This

Training isn't about perfection – it's about communication. Your puppy isn't being stubborn or difficult; they're learning a whole new language. Some days they'll be fluent, others they'll seem to forget everything they've ever learned. Both are normal.

A Final Thought

One day, probably when you least expect it, you'll realize your puppy understands you. Really understands you. That moment – when they respond to your voice with trust and confidence – makes every frustrated training session worth it.

Welcome to command training – where every small success builds toward a lifetime of communication, and where sometimes the best progress happens when you're not even trying.