Puppy Basic Commands

This page contains the puppy basic commands all dogs must learn to be a well rounded member of the family. Remember, 5-10 minutes per session. Don't overdo.



These commands also apply for adult dog training.

Dog training hand signals are included in these sections. Incorporate them after your pup has learned the basic verbal commands so he won't be confused.

The first puppy basic command your little guy must be taught from day one is NO. When he does something he shouldn't use a firm voice and say "NO". You may have to remove the object or pull him away from what is interesting him.

Do not shout or scream at him. Give him a chew or a toy and praise him for working on it instead of, lets say, the table leg. Repeat the process again for the unwanted behavior. He will quickly realize that NO means NO.

NEVER, EVER, hit a puppy or a dog. This will only frighten and confuse him. Your best results are by using your voice not your hand. Your hands are to pet, nurture and love, not discipline.

The command "Come" is very easy. Have a treat or toy handy. Call your puppy by his name and say "come" every enthusiastically. When he comes to you treat and praise.

If you wish to use dog training hand signals, the gesture for "come" is to cross your arm, bent at the elbow, across your chest while giving the command "come".

Use this hand signal every time you speak the command "come" and use your right arm or hand.

After a few days of teaching "come" you can use it to go on to the "Sit" puppy basic command.

If your pup sits in front of you anyway when you call him you are almost done.

The hand signal for "sit" is, your right arm at your side, bring your arm up, palm up, bend at elbow to about chest height while saying the command "sit".

However, if he stands, take the treat and put it to his nose and move your hand backward toward his head saying "sit" until he does.

You may need to put a little pressure on his rump to help. When he sits, treat and praise.

It will take a few days to get him use to doing this. And it also leads into the "Down" command.

While your pup is sitting, take the treat, put it to his nose but lower it to the floor while saying "down". When he's down, treat and praise.

Using the hand signal for "down" is the opposite of "sit". With your arm in the "sit" position, turn your palm over, say the command "down" and bring your arm to your side.

A word about the puppy basic commands "down" and "off". Some people use down if their dog is on the furniture or jumping on someone. This is confusing to the pet.

If he is performing this behavior, have a treat ready and say "off". You may have to take him by the collar and help the first few times.

When he removes himself from the couch or friend, treat and praise.

The command "Stay" is best started with collar and leash. Have your puppy sit, then put your palm to his nose and say "stay". Move a step or two away, still with your palm to his nose.

If he gets up, repeat the process until you can go to the end of the leash and he stays. Return to him, give a treat and lots of praise.

The hand signal for "stay" is arm at your side, bend at the elbow and the flat of your palm out in front of you, as if you were gesturing "stop", while saying the command "stay".

A puppy basic command we use, especially for car rides, is "Wait". It is the same principle as stay except you say "wait" while the pet is in the car.

This allows you to put on his leash and have control when he gets out of the car.

After the leash is on and he has waited patiently, say "ok" and off you go.

To have a well rounded dog, you must start with a well trained puppy. It just takes a few minutes of your time and well worth the effort.