Ten Commands Every Puppy Should Learn

The following commands are ones every owner should teach their puppy. Some of them may actually save your puppy's life one day. Take the "drop-it" command. Your puppy could be chewing a chicken bone and if he's been taught the "drop-it" command he would drop it immediately. No risk of his choking! However, if he hasn't learned the "drop-it" command he will probably gulp it down as soon as he sees you coming for him. If your puppy learns these commands it will only make your life easier, not to mention his life more safe and secure. Just be sure you give plenty of praise every time your puppy obeys a command. Even if it's the first time and you had to show him what to do. Your praise goes a long way!

Come
Teaching this command isn't as difficult as many people think. I know alot of dog owners wish their dog would come to them! All that's needed is for the puppy to be taught in a way he understands. The method I use most often is what I call the "come, back". You simply say "(puppy name) COME" then start backing up clapping your hands at the same time. Most puppies can’t resist this! Then when the puppy finally reaches you, give him all the praise you can. Repeat this often throughout the day.

Sit
This is the easiest command to teach your puppy and usually the first command people teach their puppy. It gives both the owner and the puppy a sense of accomplishment. One method I use for teaching "sit" is to tell your puppy to sit and gently push his rump to the floor at the same time. It will take a few repetitions for him to learn.

Down
This is a more difficult command to teach since puppies laying down is a submissive position. But, with a little persistence and repetitions you"ll have your puppy laying down in no time. Here’s one method for teaching down. When your puppy is sitting, whether on his own or at your command, tell him "down" and at the same time gently rock his shoulders back and forth so he goes off balance and lays down.
Don't forget to praise!

Down - Stay
Once your puppy understands and obeys the down command it's time to teach him to stay in this position for a length of time. Have your puppy "down". When he lies down, tell him how good he is. Then place your open hand in front of his face and tell him to "stay". Take your hand away and just stand there. If he stays for a few seconds tell him "okay" and give him plenty of praise. If he tries to get up put him back in the exact same place he was in and wait a few seconds. If he stays for a few seconds praise him. If not, keep putting him back in the same place until he will stay for a few seconds. Don't repeat the "stay" command. Once is enough.

Stand
Your puppy should pick up on this command quite quickly. When your puppy is sitting or lying down, whether on his own or at your command, tell him "stand" and coax him to stand up. Once he does praise him highly. Keep repeating whenever you see him sitting or lying down.

Heel
This command usually takes quite some time for puppies to learn. Starting young will help. One method I use is to put the puppy on a 6 foot leash and tie one end to my jeans belt loop. Make sure the leash is tied with only enough slack for your puppy to walk next to your leg and not tangle you up. Then I walk around my yard for a few minutes. Most young puppies naturally want to follow their owners so they should walk near you pretty good. Do this every day for a few minutes and within a month or so your puppy should have a pretty good idea that walking next to you is good. Be sure to say "heel" before you start walking every time so your puppy can associate the command with walking on leash.

Wait
This is one of the most important commands to teach a puppy. I use this command quite often when opening car doors, my front door, walking down the street, allowing my dogs to run loose, and other times. This command teaches your puppy to stop moving immediately when he hears "wait". Here’s one way to teach it. As you’re walking down the street, or in your yard, stop moving and tell your puppy "wait". If he stops moving, praise him but try not to let him move while praising. If he doesn't stop moving reach down and hold him still with your hands. Wait a few seconds, tell him "okay" and continue with your walk. Take a dozen or so more steps and repeat. Sooner or later he will catch on and will stop moving when you say the command even before you stop moving. Once he'll stop moving while on leash, try the command in the house. Before you go out the door tell him to wait. When he's coming to you tell him to wait. The more you use it the more reliable he’ll be. Once he's listening in the house and on leash try using the command when he's on a free (no leash) walk. Just be sure there's no danger of him getting hit by a car wherever you take him for a free walk. If he listens to the command while loose give him plenty of praise. Be sure to use the command at least once per day once your puppy understands what "wait" means.

Drop - It
Another essential command your puppy should learn. To teach this, give your puppy something you know he'll want to chew on such as one of his toys. Don’t give him something you don't want him to chew! As soon as he puts it in his mouth, tell him "drop-it" and gently take it from his mouth. If he readily lets go praise him and give it back to him. Let him chew it for a minute or so and repeat telling him to "drop-it" and taking it from his mouth. Repeat until he'll drop whatever was in his mouth. You'll have to use different things for this because you don't want him thinking that he'll only have to drop the toy you started with. Once he'll drop his toy it's time to move on and proof him with other things such as a bone, food, etc.

Leave - It
As you're walking your puppy, if he tries to pick something up gently pull the leash in the opposite direction and at the same time tell him to "leave-it". You can put things on the ground before your walk to entice him to pick things up. Use such things as food, socks, shoes, anything except his toys. You'll never ask him to leave his toys alone!

Hurry Up (or other chosen bathroom command)
This command will come in handy when you go to the vet, groomer, on vacation, or any other traveling. You'll simply tell your puppy to "hurry up" and he’ll go to the bathroom! Sound easy? It is! Every time you take your puppy out to the bathroom, say your chosen phrase as a command to go. Soon he'll associate your phrase with going to the bathroom and will go when you say your phrase. Some other phrases are: get going, atta girl, atta boy, let's go, poddy outside, go poddy, or whatever you feel like using as your puppy's command.

These are just the top ten commands I feel every puppy should know. There are many other commands and behaviors that will make your life, and your puppy’s, much happier. Start your puppy off right by teaching appropriate behavior and you’ll have a true, family companion for life!