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Puppy training commands are more commonly called cues. They\u2019re basically a request or instruction for your puppy to do something. Puppy commands let your puppy know what you\u2019d like them to do. They\u2019re a great way to communicate with your puppy in an easy-to-understand way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we\u2019ll be telling you all about<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Why you should teach your puppy commands,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Some basic puppy commands we think you\u2019ll find useful to teach<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Some things to look out for when you\u2019re trying to teach your puppy commands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you want to teach your puppy the commands and life skills that are most suited to them then why not download the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a>? We have a bespoke training program based on your puppy\u2019s breed and age so we\u2019ve got your puppy’s individual needs covered. You can also tap into our team of experienced puppy coaches<\/a>, ready to answer just about any question you might have about your pup\u2019s behavior or any problems you might be having with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Photo by Ryu Orn<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Why should I have puppy commands?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Teaching your puppy some basic commands is a no brainer, really. Cues, aka commands, tell our puppy what we\u2019d like them to do, and if they do it, they will be rewarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By teaching your puppy commands, you\u2019ll have a well-trained dog who does what you ask them to do, when you ask them to do it. Just remember that it takes practice, so put aside some time to get yourself into the training groove, and you\u2019ll have a well behaved and well-trained puppy in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is it a puppy cue or a puppy command?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puppy command or puppy cue? What\u2019s the difference? You may have noticed both terms being used in this article, and, essentially, there is no difference. But language is powerful, and using the term \u2018command\u2019 is, like we said before, something out of an old army boot camp – \u2018you must do this or else\u2019 type of language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\nThis is your cue to download our app! <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In positive reinforcement training, this isn\u2019t the approach we want so many people instead are calling them cues. When you believe a puppy is a sentient being with feelings and <\/a>emotions<\/a>, you request, ask and cue a behavior. We want our puppies to be happy and willing to do the things we ask because they have been well trained and prepared to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"black](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/elena-mozhvilo-UBe0cuOPLCI-unsplash-1024x681.jpg\")
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Basic puppy training commands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking for a puppy commands list so that you can work out what puppy commands to teach first, then look no further. We\u2019ve got you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, there are many commands to teach a puppy, so you\u2019ll want to decide what\u2019s essential for you and your lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are our suggestions for basic puppy commands that we think you\u2019ll find helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Teaching your puppy their name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This will most likely be the first thing your puppy will ever learn, and it\u2019s a pretty important one. It\u2019s what will get your puppy\u2019s attention from afar and is then generally followed up with an instruction to do something like \u2018come\u2019 \u2018wait\u2019 or \u2018leave it\u2019. Unfortunately, many puppies think their name<\/a> is no, they hear us use it so often…no don\u2019t bite me, no don\u2019t chew that<\/a> and so on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\nTeach your pup their name and more with Zigzag! <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want their name<\/a> to predict wonderful things, so try to say it in a happy tone and make sure your puppy gets lots of praise and rewards for responding to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Teaching your puppy to Sit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sit<\/a> <\/a>is one of the puppy training basics for a good reason. Sit means you can\u2019t be jumping up<\/a> on people, and really, we tend to think of it a bit like saying \u2018please\u2019. Sit to have your dinner, or sit to have your lead put on and taken for a lovely walk. Sit tends to be a command that puppies pick up really quickly, probably because we practise it so much, but also because they want to see our faces. It\u2019s much more comfortable for most dogs to look up while sitting than looking up from a stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Teaching your puppy to lie down.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lie down<\/a> while we sit and have a nice coffee with friends. Who wouldn\u2019t want to teach that puppy command? The down or lie down<\/a> command gives you instant control and is also a good position to teach your puppy the wait or stay cue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Teaching your puppy the command of \u2018come here\u2019.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Puppy recall<\/a> is not only an essential command to teach your puppy so that they can be off lead safely, it\u2019s also great fun! If your puppy won\u2019t come when called, then it\u2019s not safe to have them off lead, and where\u2019s the fun in that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teaching your puppy to come should always be a joyous activity for your puppy, never tell them off for not coming the first time, or too slowly, they chose to come, and that\u2019s a wonderful thing indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Teaching your puppy to stay.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Teaching your puppy the stay or wait here<\/a> command has a lot of real-life practical uses such as stay where you are I\u2019m going to get a towel to wipe your muddy feet, stay there while I pick up your poo, or stay there while I take a cute picture for the \u2018gram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also a handy safety cue if you can teach your dog to stop and stay where they are. Like when a ride-on lawnmower suddenly appears in the park, or you turn a corner and there\u2019s a surprise sheep! You\u2019ll be glad to have practised using the stay command<\/a> when you have to use it in an emergency, trust me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Leave it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Leave<\/a> it\u2019<\/a> is another of the most useful commands you can teach a puppy. It essentially means \u2018leave that I\u2019ve got something better for you\u2019 and can be used to get your puppy to leave something disgusting alone. You know, like horse poo, or someone else’s discarded face mask (where is that vom emoji?), or equally, leave that dog that you\u2019re fixated on saying hello to and focus back on me – thank you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leave<\/a> it<\/a> can also keep your puppy safe and away from dangerous things, it should always be followed up with lots of praise and rewards as it\u2019s such a vital thing to get right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"brown](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/david-clarke-0h3Emf2YLKg-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by David Clarke<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Things to look out for in the puppy commands process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When teaching your puppy commands, there are a few hiccups that can happen and easy mistakes to make along the way. Here are some tips and tricks for making sure that teaching your puppy commands goes smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Repeating commands and cues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to remember we are asking a lot of our puppies. They don\u2019t fully understand<\/p>\n\n\n\n
English or human verbal language. They just associate a particular sound with carrying out a behavior. It\u2019s easy to get frustrated when we think they know a cue, but they don\u2019t respond. Often, we repeat it quickly after we say it the first time and don\u2019t allow them any thinking time! You can then end up double cuing all the time, where you have to say a command twice for your puppy to understand it. Not ideal, is it? Moral of the story: don’t repeat your cue too quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using a harsh tone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your puppy understands tone but only in so much that generally a light and happy tone means you\u2019re pleased with them and a stern or harsh tone means you\u2019re displeased. No puppy needs cues literally barked at them. You can give them clear instructions without being gruff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using the command before your puppy understands the exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no need to rush the process. Make sure your puppy has learned the behavior well enough first before putting in a command. It is generally first taught with a lure, then a hand signal, and then the verbal command added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, you need to generalise commands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Generalising commands means teaching them to your puppy in many different places. So, start off in an easy location like your kitchen, move to the yard, then the front of your house, and think about inventive dog-friendly spots you can train in. Most DIY stores and yard centers are dog friendly. They are also good for your puppy to pack some socialization<\/a> experiences in too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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