5 Basic Commands To Teach Your Puppy
As a new puppy parent, one of the most important things you can do is to teach your new best friend basic obedience commands. These commands not only make it easier to communicate with your pup, but it is also important for their safety and for a happy and healthy relationship with them. In this blog, we will explore five basic puppy commands that every new puppy owner should be familiar with.
1. Sit
Teaching your puppy to sit is one of the most basic and important commands, it is simple and easy for them to execute. To teach your puppy to sit, hold a treat in front of their nose and move it upwards towards their forehead. As they lift their head to follow the treat, their hind end will naturally drop to the ground. As soon as their hind end touches the ground, say "Sit" and give them the treat. Avoid using the command before your dog has moved into the position as they may mistakenly associate the command with the incorrect movement.
2. Come
Teaching your puppy to come when called is incredibly important for their safety. To teach this command, start by putting some space between yourself and your pup, getting their attention and then using their name followed by "Come." Use a happy and encouraging tone, and reward them with a treat and lots of praise when they come to you.
3. Stay
This command is a great way to teach your puppy self-control and patience. To teach this command, start by getting your puppy to sit. Then, hold your hand out in front of you, palm facing towards them, and say "Stay." Wait for a few seconds and then give them the treat and praise them when they stay. A progressive increase in duration is important when teaching your dog to "stay". Regular practice with small increments of time will help them improve.
4. Heel
This command is great for when you're going for a walk or taking your puppy out in public, particularly in populated areas. This skill is particularly crucial for larger dogs or breeds who naturally pull on the leash. Once a dog can heel it will make your walks a lot more pleasant. To teach this command, use a leash and walk your puppy beside you. When they start to pull, stop and say "Heel" and wait for them to come back to your side. When they're back by your side, give them a treat and praise them.
5. No
This command is important to teach your puppy to stop them from engaging in dangerous or unwanted behaviours. When teaching your dog the command "no," it's important to use the command in the same tone and manner each time. You should also use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, when your dog stops the unwanted behaviour. It's also important to redirect your dog to more appropriate behaviour, such as a toy or a command they know, instead of just saying "no" and expecting them to understand what they should do instead.
Keep in mind that these are just a few basic commands to get you started. It's important to remember that puppies learn at their own pace, so be patient and consistent with your training. Also, try to make the training fun and enjoyable for both you and your puppy. With a little bit of patience and practice, your puppy will be responding to these commands in no time.
