Puppy - Teaching - Sit, Down, Stand & Stay

In order to teach any command it is important to start by using the word as a label for the required action and to reward the action with something that the puppy finds worthwhile, such as food. In order to associate the word with the action you need to either wait for the action to be performed spontaneously or lure your puppy into the required position.

How do I teach my puppy to "sit" on command?

• In order to lure your puppy into a sit position you should hold a small piece of food over your puppy’s nose and slowly move it up and back over his head. Keep it close to his nose so that he does not start to stand up on his back legs to reach it. As he follows the food with his head, he will sit down.
• After a few repetitions, leave the treat to one side and use just the hand gesture. The upward motion of the hand serves as a visual command for him. As he sits, say the word sit and immediately reach for the treat to reward him.
• If you are capturing spontaneous offerings of the sit posture the same principle of labelling the action with the word sit applies.
• Many repetitions of the word "sit" during the performance of the action (be that spontaneous or lured) will be necessary for your puppy to learn the word association properly.
• Gradually, as he understands the meaning of the word, you can start to give the treats intermittently in order to increase the likelihood that your puppy will still respond to the command when treats are not available.

You should practice the "sit" posture in many places throughout your home. It is especially important to teach your puppy to sit by doors, as a dog who readily sits at the front door will be easier to teach good greeting manners when guests arrive, and will also be easier to teach not to bolt out of the door as it opens.

Please note that dogs with well developed thigh muscles (eg greyhounds, lurchers) will be uncomfortable if asked to sit for a long time and may stand/lie down rather than remaining in a sitting position. But they should still be taught to sit, just not asked to stay like that for a long time.

How do I teach my puppy to lie down on command?

• In order to lure you puppy into a lie down position you should start with your puppy in a sit position.
• Take a treat and slowly lower it to the ground close to your puppy’s chest until it ends between your puppy's front paws. Usually your puppy will follow the treat and go down. If he backs away, move your hand slightly further forward next time and if he gets up to reach forward, keep your hand closer to his chest the next time.
• If your puppy does not lie all the way down, slowly push the treat further between the paws.
• As soon as he lies down, say the word "down" and give him the treat.

For some puppies, teaching the down command can be very difficult and giving the treat as he begins to bend his elbow may help as it encourages the action. Only do this a few times however, or he will expect to get fed at the half way point and will not understand that he needs to lie down flat. Do not say the word "down" until your puppy is in the required posture. In some cases difficulty with this exercise might be a sign of a problem with your puppy’s hips and if you are having particular trouble in teaching this command you should seek further professional advice from your veterinary surgeon.

An alternative method for luring your puppy into a down position is to:

• Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you and slightly bent at the knees.
• Take a hand with a treat in it and hold it under your legs towards the puppy.
• As he shows interest in following it, pull your hand back so that he has to lie down to crawl under your knees.
• Say "down" as he falls flat and feed him the treat. Most puppies will then learn the concept fairly quickly.

You can also teach your pup to lie down from a standing position by:

• Slowly moving the treat down and backwards between his feet where he is standing, so that he has to fold downwards to follow it.

Whatever method you use, as soon as your puppy is lying down reliably to follow the food, stop using the lure and only use the hand gesture as described for teaching the "sit". Ideally, practice the action from both the stand and the sitting positions and of course once again, practice lying down in many different locations and situations.

How can I teach my puppy to "stay" on command?

Puppies can be taught to stay for short periods of time at a young age. Once they sit and/or lie down on command each and every time they are asked, without the need for food inducements, training can proceed to more difficult concepts such as "stay".

• Initially give your puppy the "sit" or "down" command and then take one tiny step away, and immediately return to your puppy and reward him or her for not moving.
• Be very careful that he does not stand up or move as you present the reward because then you will have rewarded "getting up".
• Once your puppy is confidently staying for a short period, add the word "stay" just before you move away.
• Gradually increase the distance by a step at a time, and the length of the stay by a few seconds at a time, until your puppy can stay for a minute or more with you standing at least 10 feet away.
• It is important to set your puppy up to succeed. Proceeding very slowly, and keeping a long lead attached to your puppy, so that he cannot run away, can help to ensure success.

Be patient. It may take a few weeks or more of daily training to get your puppy to stay for 1-2 minutes. Over a few months it should be possible to increase the stay to 15 minutes or more, and to be able to leave the room and return without your puppy rising from his stay.
For these longer stays it may be better to use a "down-stay" (lying down and staying in place) combination, and to train your dog in a favoured resting or sleeping area.

Once extended "sit-stays" are accomplished, the command can be used to prevent many potential behaviour problems. For example, if you practice "sit and stay" by the front door, this command can then be used to prevent running out the door and jumping on visitors. Also, being able to have your puppy sit and stay while you place his food on the floor and then giving him an "OK" or release command so that he can eat, is a valuable asset. Being able to control your puppy at times when he is motivated to reach something of value to him (such as his food) is important as there may be a time when his safety is at risk and obeying your commands instead of his desires may be really important.

How can I teach my dog to stand on command?

Place your puppy in a sit or down position. Take the food treat and move it forward and away from your puppy (and upwards at the same time if he is moving from the down position) as you say "stand". Your puppy should again follow its nose and stand up. Do not pull your hand so far away that he wants to move to follow you but just far enough to encourage him to stand up.

What else can I teach my dog?

Using the concepts discussed above your dog can be trained to perform anything that he is physically capable of. Please ask your veterinary practice about suitable training resources should you want to proceed further with training your puppy.