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. Practise 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.
Training Treats & Clicker
Tiny, high-value training treats keep your puppy focused, and a clicker marks the exact moment they get it right for faster learning. A simple, cheap combo that makes training noticeably easier.
Check Price →See our recommended training treats
View Picks →The bottom line
Keep it short, positive, and consistent. Reward generously, never punish mistakes, and practise a little every day. Within a few weeks you'll have a puppy who sits, stays, and comes — and a foundation for everything else.
⚕️ 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).