Rare is the dog that isn't motivated by something good to eat. According to Ray, the basic commands that every dog should learn (in this order) are heel, sit, stay, and come.
From there, McMillan explains his playful, careful, and kind approach to training the 7 Common Commands he teaches every dog: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO.
When you set aside time for a training session, plan on working on just one command. The quick, intense lessons will help your dog learn, and sticking with just one command or behavior will help the dog stay focused. You can train them on more than one command in a day but try to stick to just one for each session.
Sit. Unlike teaching your pup to stay down, “sit” is the easiest command to teach your furry friend. To teach your puppy this trick, make sure to follow the next steps carefully: Kneel in front of your puppy with a treat in your hand.
Basic obedience training
Puppies can learn all of the basic cues that older dogs can— from down to shake to roll over. Start with the two foundational behaviors of “focus” and “sit.” To build focus, try the name game: Say your dog's name in a happy tone of voice.
As a result, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal behaviorists and many trainers now recommend that puppies (who do not have health problems) begin classes as early as 7-8 weeks.
If you implore proper training methodology, are consistent, use appropriate high-value rewards and praise, your dog should begin to understand the commands within days - potentially the first day of training. They should be performing the basic commands outlined in this article consistently within 7 days.
Some basic commands your puppy is ready to learn include sit, stay, heel and no. You will also want to practice walking on a leash. At home, practice is critical, but it's also a good idea to enlist some professional help. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation for an obedience course near you.
Clothier examines these 7 key points of the dog/human relationship: creativity, consistency, communication, congruency, condition, clarity and confidence.
One way to do this is to show your dog what you want or don't want it to do. For example, hold a treat and show it to your dog. As your dog tries to get it, say “no,” and close your fist around the treat. Let your dog sniff and lick at your hand, but don't give it the treat.
Allow your puppy to chase other dogs, cats, or other animals. Confine your puppy for long periods of time during the day. Allow your puppy to chew, nibble, or bite on people. Allow your puppy to play with or chew on toys that aren't on the approved toy list (listed in section 3-5).
One of the most essential commands you can teach your dog is "come." This command is important for recall, and can help keep your dog safe in a variety of situations. "Come" can be used when your dog is off leash and you need them to come to you, or if they are about to do something that could be dangerous.
Repeating Commands or Command Nagging
This can be quite common and teaches the dog that you will keep going and going until they respond, so they have all the time in the world! It's imperative to say the cue just once.
Two weeks is just barely enough time for the dog to adjust to the new routine and start understanding the commands. Still, even at this point, they are just becoming ready to practice their learned skill set in various environments (such as dog parks and around town).
Three to five repetitions are more than enough at one time. Too many repetitions and your dog will get frustrated, bored, or distracted. A happy tone of voice, a smile, a good treat, patience, and a willingness to teach your dog will go a long way to increase communication.
Frankly, there's just no one size fits all answer, it depends on your dog's age, breed, and overall personality. Young puppies under 6 months old should not be left alone for more than 2 or 3 hours because of their bladder control and risk of separation anxiety.
While it's usually harder to train an older dog than a puppy, it's never too late to train a dog — you just have to be willing to put in the time, patience and determination required to create boundaries, establish new habits and eliminate destructive behaviors.
It's never too late to start dog training
In fact - as your dog ages it's important for his or her physical and mental health that they have good manners.
As a rule of thumb, remove the food and water bowls about two-to-three hours before bedtime. So, if your lights-out time is at 11 p.m., a puppy should have no food or water after about 8–8:30 p.m. This gives you a chance to take him out for a one last potty break before settling in for the night.
Teach Your Dog to Come When Called. Teach Your Dog Loose-Leash Walking. Teach Your Dog Sit. Teach Your Dog Down.