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How to Teach Your Puppy Basic Commands: Start With These Essentials
Teaching your puppy a few basic commands is one of the easiest ways to build communication and confidence.
You do not need to teach dozens of tricks in the early weeks. Start with a few simple commands that make everyday life easier and safer.
The best first commands for many puppies are:
- name recognition
- sit
- come
- leave it
- wait
- settle
Start Small and Keep It Simple
Puppies have short attention spans, so training sessions should be short and positive.
Two to five minutes is often enough. It is much better to do several short sessions each day than one long one.
Use Rewards
Puppies learn best when good behaviour is rewarded.
Use small treats, praise, play or attention to show your puppy they have done the right thing.
Timing matters. Reward the behaviour as soon as it happens.
Name Recognition
Say your puppy’s name in a cheerful voice. When they look at you, reward them.
This is the foundation of all later training because your puppy first needs to learn that paying attention to you is worthwhile.
Sit
Sit is usually one of the easiest commands to teach.
Hold a treat near your puppy’s nose and slowly move it slightly upward and back. As their head follows the treat, their bottom will often lower naturally. Reward immediately.
Come
Recall is one of the most important skills for safety.
Start indoors or in the garden. Crouch down, call your puppy in a happy voice, and reward generously when they come.
Never call your puppy to punish them.
Leave It
This teaches your puppy to move away from something they want.
Start with a treat in your closed hand. When your puppy stops trying to get it, reward them with a different treat.
Wait
Wait helps with impulse control.
You can use it before meals, at doors, or before letting your puppy greet someone. Start with just a second or two and build gradually.
Final Thoughts
Teaching basic commands is not about strict obedience. It is about communication, confidence and building a well-behaved puppy step by step.
Keep training short, reward quickly and stay consistent.
