Before you start
- Small, soft treats your dog loves
- A treat pouch or pocket
- A quiet room to start
- A lead and long line for outdoor practice
Method 1 Get ready to train
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Step 1: Choose great rewards
Use small, soft treats your dog loves, about the size of a pea, or pieces of their daily food for easier tasks.
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Step 2: Pick a marker
Choose a word like “Yes!” or use a clicker. Say it the instant your dog does the right thing, then give the treat within a second or two.
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Step 3: Keep sessions short
Train for 5–10 minutes, two or three times a day, and stop while your dog is still keen.
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Step 4: Start somewhere quiet
Begin indoors with no distractions, then gradually practise in the garden, on walks and in busier places.
Method 2 Teach “Sit”
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Step 1: Lure
Hold a treat at your dog’s nose and slowly move it up and slightly back over their head. As their head goes up, their bottom goes down.
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Step 2: Mark and reward
The moment their bottom touches the floor, say “Yes!” and give the treat.
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Step 3: Add the word
Once they sit reliably with the lure, say “Sit” just before you move your hand.
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Step 4: Fade the lure
Gradually use an empty hand signal, rewarding from your other hand.
Method 3 Teach “Down”
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Step 1: Start in a sit
Ask your dog to sit.
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Step 2: Lure to the floor
Move a treat slowly from their nose straight down to the floor between their front paws, then slowly away along the floor.
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Step 3: Mark and reward
When their elbows touch the floor, say “Yes!” and reward. Add the word “Down” once they follow the lure reliably.
Method 4 Teach “Stay”
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Step 1: Ask for a sit or down
Ask your dog to sit or lie down.
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Step 2: Show a stop signal
Say “Stay” with your palm towards them, wait one second, then say “Yes” and reward while they’re still in position.
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Step 3: Build one thing at a time
Increase duration (seconds), then distance (one step back), then distractions, but only one at a time. If they break the stay, go back to an easier step.
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Step 4: Release them
End each stay with a release word such as “OK” or “Free”, so they know when they can move.
Method 5 Teach “Come” (recall)
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Step 1: Start close
In a quiet room, say your dog’s name and “Come!” in a happy voice, and move backwards a few steps to encourage them.
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Step 2: Reward generously
When they reach you, gently hold their collar, say “Yes!” and give an extra-special treat.
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Step 3: Practise often
Call them several times a day for good things, not only to end fun.
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Step 4: Go outside safely
Practise in a secure area or on a long line before trusting recall in open spaces.
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Step 5: Never punish on arrival
Even if they took ages, reward them when they come. Punishing teaches them that coming to you is bad.
Method 6 Teach “Leave it”
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Step 1: Closed hand
Hold a treat in a closed fist. Let your dog sniff and lick. The moment they back off, say “Yes!” and reward from your other hand.
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Step 2: Add the cue
When they back off quickly, say “Leave it” first.
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Step 3: Progress
Practise with a treat on the floor under your hand, then uncovered, always rewarding from your hand, not the floor treat.
Troubleshooting
My dog only listens when I have treats
Hide treats in a pouch, reward randomly once a behaviour is learned, and use real-life rewards like going outside or playing.
My dog gets too excited to focus
Train after a walk or play, in a quieter place, and use lower-value treats.
My dog ignores “Come” outside
Go back to practising on a long line, use better rewards, and don’t call when you know they won’t come. Reward every success.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can I start training?
As soon as your puppy comes home, around 8 weeks, with very short, fun sessions.
Can older dogs learn new commands?
Yes, dogs can learn at any age with patience and rewards.
When should I get professional help?
For aggression, severe fear or separation anxiety, see your vet and a qualified, reward-based trainer or veterinary behaviourist.
Summary
Use small treats and a marker word, train in short, fun sessions, and teach one command at a time: sit, down, stay, come and leave it. Build difficulty gradually with duration, distance and distractions, reward every success, and never punish. Consistency from everyone in the household makes training stick.
