How to Train Your Puppy to Sit, Stay & Come

Training a puppy to sit, stay and come.

Training a puppy to sit, stay and come is a basic part of owning a dog. These commands set the groundwork for more advanced or complex work and are the mainstays of all further dog training. The principle of "ask, tell, command," is utilized by many top name dog trainers, including Cesar Milan in his book "Be the Pack Leader." This method involves praise, reinforcement and practice. Use verbal and physical cues to tell your dog exactly what you want done. Verbal praise and food treats are great incentives for even the most stubborn puppies to learn what you have to teach.

Things You'll Need

• Dog
• Treat

Instructions

Teaching Sit

1. Establish a hand signal that signifies the command "sit". Dogs learn by recieving both verbal and visual cues, according to "Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. 1: Adaptation and Learning."

2. Ask your dog to sit. Use a normal and genial tone of voice. Give the hand signal you established for the "sit" command. Praise your dog verbally or by giving him a treat if he complies. If your dog does not comply, proceed to the next step of the sequence of "ask, tell, command".

3. Tell your dog to sit. Use a firm, commanding tone of voice. Display the hand signal for "sit". If your dog complies, praise her verbally or with a treat. If your dog does not comply, proceed to the next step of the "ask, tell, command" sequence.

4. Command your dog to sit. Use a firm, unwavering voice. Display the hand signal that was established for the "sit" command. If your dog does not comply, physically position him into a sitting position. If you must position him, repeat the word sit. Your dog will begin to associate the word with the pose or action.

5. Repeat the "ask, tell, command" sequence several times until you only have to ask your dog to sit.

Teaching Stay

1. Decide on a hand signal to represent the "stay" command. This can be an open hand with the palm facing the dog, or any other command that is easy for you to remember.

2. Ask your dog to sit. Praise him verbally if he complies. If he does not, go through the "ask, tell, command" sequence until your dog is in a sitting position. Praise him when he does so.

3. Walk a few steps away. Repeat the word "stay" if your dog's concentration wavers.

4. Reposition your dog as sitting and give the command "stay" once more. Repeat this process, walking away a few steps at a time until you can successfully leave the room without your dog following you.

5. Praise your dog each time he stays without losing concentration or following you. Do this as many times as necessary. According to "The Dog's Mind: Understanding Your Dog's Behavior," dogs learn through a series of trial and error. Each new command takes multiple attempts to master.

Teaching Come

1. Position your dog in a "sit-stay" stance. Stand across the room from your dog.

2. Ask your dog to come to you in a happy, lighthearted voice. If she comes to you, praise her verbally or with a food treat.

3. Reposition your dog in a "sit-stay" and ask her to come again. Repeat this process until she comes to you every time.

4. Utilize the "ask, tell, command" idea if your dog does not come to you on the first try.

5. If you reach the "command" stage without your dog coming to you, gently grasp his collar and pull him toward you. Praise him, even though he did not perform the action on his own. Praise reinforces the idea that good things happen when your dog comes to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Training is a lengthy process, do not get discouraged if your dog does not learn on the first few attempts. Train in short intervals of 15 minutes several times throughout the day.

• Do not be afraid to seek the advice of a professional dog trainer if you are having problems training your dog. Needing help from a professional does not necessarily mean that you are doing something wrong and may simply mean you are working with a stubborn canine.

• Never physically discipline your dog for failing to obey a command. By hitting your dog, you reinforce the idea that bad things happen when your dog obeys your commands, making the dog even less likely to obey

References

• "Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. 1: Adaptation and Learning"; Stephen R. Lindsay; 2000
• "The Dog's Mind: Understanding Your Dog's Behavior;" Bruce Fogle, Anne B. Wilson; 1992
• "The Koehler Method of Training Tracking Dogs;" William R. Koehler; 1984
• "Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. 3: Procedures and Protocols;" Stephen R. Lindsay; 2005
• "Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life"; Cesar Milan, Melissa Jo Peltier; 2008