Puppies: Command Training for Sit, Down, Stand, and Stay ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

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Puppies: Command Training for Sit, Down, Stand, and Stay

How do I teach my puppy to sit on command?

Using a food treat, hold the food over the dog's nose and slowly move it up and back over the dog's head. As the puppy follows the food with his head he will sit down. Now couple the word SIT with the action. The upward motion of the hand as you hold the food treat also serves as a visual command for the puppy. If the pup lifts his front legs you are holding the food treat too high. As soon as the puppy sits, say ""Good sit" and give the treat. Many repetitions will be necessary for the pup to learn the association properly. Gradually, as the puppy understands what you want, only give the treats intermittently. You should practice sit in many places throughout your home. It is especially important to teach your puppy to sit by the front door. A dog who readily sits by the front door will be less of a problem greeting guests.

How do I teach my puppy to lie down on command?

Start with your puppy in a sit position. To get the puppy to lie down, take a treat and lower it between the puppy's front paws and say Down. Usually the puppy will follow the treat and go down. If the puppy does not lie all the way down, slowly push the treat between the paws and if the puppy lies down give hime the treat and, of course, add "Good dog."

For some puppies, teaching the down command can be very difficult. An alternative method is instead of pushing the food treat backwards, slowly pull the treat forward. If that does not work, sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you and slightly bent at the knees. Take a hand with a treat in it and push it out under your knee from between your legs. As the puppy tries to get the food treat, slowly bring it back under your knee. As the puppy tries to follow, he will usually lie down.

Once the puppy understands the down command, make sure that you vary the starting position. You should try to get your puppy to down from both a stand and a sit.

How can I teach my puppy to stay on command?

Puppies can be taught to stay for short periods of time at a young age. Once they sit on command each and every time they are asked, without the need for food inducements, training can proceed to more difficult concepts such as Stay.

First the pup is taught to stay without moving as you stand in front for 1-2 seconds. Initially give the puppy the sit command, say STAY (using a hand as a stop sign can be a good visual cue), take one step away, and then return to the puppy and reward him for not moving. Be very careful that the puppy does not stand up or move as you present the reward because then you will have rewarded him for getting up. Gradually increase the distance by a step at a time, and the length of the stay by a few seconds at a time, until the puppy can stay for a minute or more with you standing at least 10 feet away. It is important to set up the puppy to succeed. Proceeding very slowly, and keeping a long lead attached to the puppy so that he can not run away can help ensure success. Be patient. It may take a week or more of daily training to get a puppy to sit and stay for 1-2 minutes. Over a few months he should be possible to increase the stay to 15 minutes or more, and to be able to leave the room and return without the puppy rising from his stay. For these longer stays it may be better to use a down-stay (lying down and staying in place) combination, and to train the dog in a favored resting or sleeping area.

Once extended sit-stays are accomplished, the command can be used to prevent many potential behavior problems. For example, if you practice sit and stay by the front door, this command can then be used to prevent running out the door and jumping on company. Have your puppy sit and stay while you place the food on the floor and then give him an OK or release command. This will help establish your leadership and control.

How can I teach my dog to stand on command?

Place your puppy in a sit position. Take the food treat with the palm of your hand facing up and move it forward and away from the pup as you say STAND. Your puppy should again follow his nose and stand up. Don't pull your hand so far away that the puppy follows you, but just until he stands up.

What else can I teach my dog?

Using the concepts above a dog can be trained to perform anything that he is physically capable of. A down or sit can be extended from several seconds to many minutes as long as you progress gradually, or shape the dog's behavior. In shaping, determine your ultimate goal, such as a 20 minute stay, and reward successive increments of the behavior until you reach that goal. For example, once the dog will sit for 3 seconds before the reward is given, you can repeat the command and when the puppy sits, wait for 4 seconds before the reward is given. Proceed very slowly, ensuring that the puppy is performing the behavior properly a few times in a row before proceeding to the next step.

Additional training information:

Basic Training

Command Training for Come, Wait, and Follow

Page URL: http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/training2.html

Resource References:
Much, much appreciation to Dr. Raymond Van Lienden, DVM of Clifton, VA USA for his extensive research in locating the material found on this page. Thank you, dear Doctor!