Training builds a strong bond between you and your dog while establishing clear communication. A trained dog is safer, happier, and more welcome in public spaces. Start training as soon as you bring your dog home — puppies as young as 8 weeks can learn basic commands. Training sessions should be short (5-10 minutes) and positive, using treats and praise as rewards.
Consistency is key: use the same words and hand signals every time. All family members should use the same commands to avoid confusing your dog.
Hold a treat close to your dog's nose, then slowly move it up and back over their head. As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower into a sitting position. Say "Sit" the moment they sit, then give the treat with praise. Practice this 5-10 times per session, gradually reducing the hand motion until your dog responds to the verbal command alone.
Once your dog reliably sits on command, practice in different locations with distractions to generalize the behavior.
Ask your dog to sit, then hold your palm out like a stop sign and say "Stay." Take one step back — if your dog stays, return immediately and reward. Gradually increase the distance and duration. If your dog breaks the stay, calmly return them to the original position and try again with a shorter distance.
Always release your dog from the stay with a release word like "OK" or "Free." This teaches them that stay means hold position until released, not until they get bored.
This is the most important command for safety. Start indoors with your dog on a leash. Say your dog's name followed by "Come" in a happy, excited voice. Gently pull the leash while backing away. When your dog reaches you, reward with high-value treats and lots of praise. Practice in progressively more distracting environments.
Never punish your dog for coming to you — even if they took longer than expected. The come command should always be associated with positive experiences.
Stop moving the moment your dog pulls on the leash. Stand still and wait until the leash goes slack, then reward and continue walking. Change direction frequently to keep your dog's attention on you. Practice in low-distraction areas first, gradually working up to busier environments.
Use a front-clip harness for dogs that pull strongly — it's more humane than choke chains or prong collars and more effective for training loose leash walking.