Getting your dog to reliably follow cues like sit, down, stay, heel, and come is essential for manners and safety. While it may seem daunting at first, mastering movement commands simply takes patience and repetition. Follow these step-by-step instructions to teach basic movement skills to your canine companion.
Sit
Sit is often the first command taught to puppies and dogs. When mastered using positive reinforcement, it forms the foundation for more advanced training.
How To Teach:
- Hold a treat at your dog’s nose level and slowly move it up and back over their head. Their head will tilt up and butt lower as they follow the treat. Once in sitting position, mark the behavior with a clicker or “yes!”
- Immediately reward with the treat. Repeat often, praising verbally along with the reward.
- Gradually introduce the verbal cue “sit” as they begin to lower into a sit. After consistent repetition, they will associate the verbal cue with the action.
- Practice daily, asking for sits in different locations and before giving treats, toys or attention. This builds the habit.
Down
The down command teaches your dog to lay in a prone position on their belly. This provides important impulse control.
How to Teach:
- Ask your dog to sit first. Hold a treat at their nose level, then slowly lower it straight down to the floor in front of them.
- As your dog follows the treat with their nose, their head will lower until their elbows rest on the floor. Once in down position, mark and reward.
- Repeat daily, adding the verbal “down” command once the action is consistent. Practice asking for down from a sit, stand and during motion.
- Work up to having your dog down-stay for extended durations before rewarding.
Stay
Stay means your dog maintains their position until you release them. Mastering stay allows you to control your dog’s impulses.
How to Teach:
- Start with sit and down positions first. Give the stay command once your dog is settled.
- Take one large step back, return and reward. Gradually increase distance and duration.
- Vary position – sit stay, down stay – and location. Change directions you step away.
- If your dog fails to stay, gently lead them back into position and practice an easier version. They’re learning!
- Use release cue like “okay!” after stay to indicate freedom to move. Always reward stays.
Heel and Loose Leash Walking
Heel means walking closely by your side focused on you. Loose leash walking teaches no pulling.
How to Teach:
- Start by rewarding your dog for just looking at you. Say “watch me!” when you have their attention.
- Take a few steps encouraging them to walk near you, then reward. Repeat short sequences.
- If they pull away, stop and call them back to you for a treat when they return to your side.
- Use treats near your leg to keep their head oriented towards you as you walk together.
- Gradually work up to sustained heelwalking for longer distances with fewer but larger rewards.
Come
A reliable recall is extremely useful for safety and control. Come means returning all the way to you when called.
How to Teach:
- Start with your pup on a long leash and say “come!” excitedly while backing up. Praise and reward as they come towards you.
- Increase distance and switch up locations after success. Practice calling when they are distracted.
- If they do not immediately come, gently guide them back on the leash without anger. Remember, they are learning!
- Extend come command to off leash only if response is excellent. Reward lavishly when off leash recalls are performed.
- Randomly practice come command during walks and play. Make coming fun!
With short, engaging training sessions daily, your dog will master these foundational movement skills. Stick to positive reinforcement like treats, toys, and praise. Be patient and consistent. Regular practice solidifies commands. Your dog will love working together and bonding during these sessions!
