How to Teach Your Puppy Basic Commands: Sit, Stay, and Come
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Teaching your puppy a few basic commands isn't just for show — 'come' could one day save their life, and 'sit' and 'stay' make everyday life calmer. The good news: with positive reinforcement and short, fun sessions, puppies pick these up surprisingly fast. Here's how to teach the big three.
Set up for success
- Keep sessions short — 5 minutes, a few times a day beats one long session
- Train before meals when your puppy is hungry and motivated
- Use tiny, soft, high-value treats they can eat instantly
- Start in a quiet room with no distractions, then build up
- Always end on a win, while it's still fun
Sit
Hold a treat just above your puppy's nose and slowly move it back over their head. As their nose follows it up, their bottom naturally drops. The moment they sit, say 'yes!' and give the treat. After a few reps, add the word 'sit' just as they begin to do it. Soon the word alone works.
Come (recall) — the most important one
Start close. Crouch down, sound excited, say 'come!' and reward generously the instant they reach you — make coming to you the best thing that ever happens. Practice on a long line outdoors before trusting it off-leash. Never call 'come' for something unpleasant (like nail trims), or you'll poison the cue.
Stay
Ask for a sit, hold your palm out, say 'stay,' wait one second, then reward. Slowly build up the time and your distance, returning to reward before they break. If they get up, calmly reset — no scolding. Patience here pays off hugely.
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These treats are small, soft, and low in calories, so you can reward your puppy dozens of times in a five-minute session without overfeeding them. That high rate of reinforcement is exactly what makes "sit," "stay," and "come" click quickly for a young dog.
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Keep it short, positive, and consistent. Reward generously, never punish mistakes, and practice a little every day. Within a few weeks you'll have a puppy who sits, stays, and comes — and a foundation for everything else.
Frequently asked questions
What age should I start training my puppy?
You can start gentle, positive training the day your puppy comes home, usually around eight weeks old. Puppies learn fast during these early weeks, so short, fun sessions build great habits. Just keep expectations age-appropriate and always end on a win.
How long should puppy training sessions be?
Keep them short — around five minutes, a few times a day, works far better than one long session. Puppies have short attention spans and tire quickly, and stopping while it's still fun keeps them eager for next time. Frequent, brief, upbeat practice is the fastest route to reliable commands.
What's the most important command to teach first?
Recall — teaching your puppy to come when called — is arguably the most important because it can keep them safe in a genuinely dangerous moment. "Sit" is also a great early win because it's easy and builds focus. Practice recall on a long line before ever trusting it off-leash, and never call your puppy to you for something unpleasant.
Do I need a clicker to train my puppy?
No — a clicker is a helpful marker that pinpoints the exact moment your puppy did the right thing, but a consistent word like "yes!" works just as well for most owners. The key is marking the behavior instantly and rewarding within a second or two. Choose whichever you'll use consistently.
⚕️ A note on advice: This article is general guidance to help you make informed decisions — it is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet about your dog's individual health and needs.
Trusted resources for further reading
We recommend these respected organizations for authoritative, vet-reviewed information: American Kennel Club (AKC), ASPCA, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).