Dog Training
STAGE 1 - PUPPY TRAINING: Home training, Crate training, Leash skills, Socialization.
STAGE 2 - ADULT DOG TRAINING: Command Words- Come, Sit, Down, Stay.
STAGE 3 - LIFE TRAINING: Sign Language, Voice Control, Fire Drills.

We see lots of commands taught to dogs, these are the four most useful.  Learning these four will allow you and your dog to develop a training dynamic, so further commands will be easier to train.  You'll know when your dog is ready to learn commands- many puppies can begin command training at a very early age, so don't be surprised if puppy training and adult dog training overlap with your dog. 

How to train the four basic dog obedience commands:

Come:
This is easy- get a treat it toy your dog loves and make sure you are at a small distance from your dog.  Say "Come", give the treat or toy and praise when they do.  Don't use the dog's name, just the "Come" command.  Praise, repeat.  When there is food or play involved dogs and puppies learn fast.

Sit:
Stand next to your dog with a treat.  One of your hands will be near it's head, one near it's butt.  The hand near the head gets the treat, the hand near the butt goes on the butt.  Move the treat slowly up and over the dog's head so it's eyes follow the treat; this will move the dog's head back, naturally starting the sitting motion.  At the same time say "Sit" and use your other hand to gently move the dog's butt downward into a sitting position.  This may take some time at first until the dog figures out what you are asking for- don't push hard on your dog to get it to sit, just don't give the treat until it does.  Praise, repeat.

Down:
After your dog knows "Sit", the next logical command is "Down".  Kneel in front of your dog with a treat, have the dog sit.  Hold the treat in one hand directly in front of the dog, and move it to the floor.  At the same time say "Down".  Use your other hand to move the dog into the down position- we've seen this done by pulling the front feet forward, pressing down on the shoulder area, and using a harness to move the dog.  Whatever works for you, be gentle.  If training hurts dogs will learn that training hurts, not that lying down gets a reward.  Don't give the treat until the dog is lying down.  Praise, repeat.

Stay:
You can use this command as a segue to Sign Language by using the "Stay" sign along with the command.  Check the Life Training page for the link to ASL signs.
This command follows leash skills, "Sit" and "Down".  "Stay" should mean, to your dog, that whatever the dog is doing, keep doing it.  If they are sitting, keep sitting.  The most useful time for this command is while walking on leash when you have to pick up poop or wait at a corner for traffic.  We like to train this command without treats, just with praise, because it is such a useful walking skill and get repeated so often that we don't like the dogs to expect a treat for doing it.  There are two times to train this, in order:

1. Introduce the command as you walk your dog; stop, make eye contact with your dog, give the "Stay" command, and stand still.  After a few seconds give some praise and keep walking.  Repeat. 

2. At home, have the dog "Sit"; maintain eye contact and say "Stay".  Wait a few seconds, the give praise and repeat.  Train "Stay" with "Down" too.

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