What Tricks To Teach Your Puppy First

Getting a new puppy is an exciting time for the whole family. With their cute faces, boundless energy and enthusiasm, puppies bring a lot of joy to their owners. From the moment they come home, puppies start learning and need guidance from their humans to understand the rules and boundaries. To build a strong bond with your puppy, it's important to spend quality time with them and teach them some obedience skills and fun tricks.

Although puppies can learn basic commands as young as 8 weeks old, it's important to be consistent and patient in order to teach them effectively. A calm, positive attitude and reward-based training works best when teaching your puppy new tricks. Below are some of the most important and easiest tricks to teach your pup to get them started in the world of obedience.

Sit Command

Teaching your puppy the 'Sit' command is one of the most basic and important commands to learn. This command helps keep your pup safe, as it can stop them in their tracks if they're about to do something dangerous or inappropriate. It also helps to establish you as the leader of the pack, since dogs are more likely to obey commands from a dominant figure.

To teach your puppy to 'Sit' on command, start by getting their attention with a treat. Use the treat to entice them to look up and make eye contact with you. Then, hold the treat just above their head and say 'Sit'. When they sit, praise them and give them the treat. Repeat this process several times until they begin to recognize the command and follow it without the aid of the treat.

Down Command

The 'Down' command is another important command to teach your puppy, as it helps keep them in check when they're feeling overwhelmed or overly excited. This command can be used to control their jumping, barking and playful behaviour, allowing you to remain in charge and keep your puppy calm.

To teach your puppy the 'Down' command, start by getting their attention with a treat. Hold the treat close to their nose and slowly move it down to the ground. As they're following the treat, say 'Down' and when they lay down, reward them with the treat and praise them. Repeat this process several times until they begin to recognize the command and follow it without the aid of the treat.

Stay Command

The 'Stay' command is an important one for keeping your puppy safe and under control. It tells them to stay in a certain spot and remain there until given another command. This command can be used if your pup is in danger of running into the road, or if they're getting too excited around other people or animals.

To teach your puppy the 'Stay' command, start by having them sit and then give them the 'Stay' command. Hold your palm out towards them and take one step back. If they remain in the sitting position, reward them with a treat and verbal praise. As they begin to understand the command, you can increase the distance and the amount of time you expect them to stay. Eventually, they should be able to stay for a few minutes at a time.

Leave It Command

The 'Leave It' command is an important one for teaching your puppy what they can and cannot have. It can be used to keep them away from potentially dangerous objects such as electrical cords, sharp objects, or items that could be poisonous. It also helps to reinforce impulse control when they see something they want, such as food or toys.

To teach your puppy the 'Leave It' command, start by showing them a treat or toy. Allow them to sniff it, then cover it with your hand and say 'Leave it'. If they try to take it, cover it again and repeat the command. When they stop trying to take the item and look away from it, reward them with a treat and praise. Repeat this process several times until they understand the command and obey it without the aid of the treat.

Come Command

The 'Come' command is an important one for keeping your puppy safe, as it allows you to call them back to you in any situation. This command will help ensure that your pup is always nearby, even if they become distracted by something or wander off.

To teach your puppy the 'Come' command, start by having them sit and stay in one spot. Then, call their name and say 'Come'. When they come to you, reward them with a treat and verbal praise. As they begin to understand the command, increase the distance between you and your pup and the amount of time you expect them to stay. Eventually, they should be able to come to you no matter where they are or what they're doing.

Conclusion

Teaching your puppy some basic tricks is essential for establishing a strong bond with them and helping them become well-behaved members of the family. With consistency and patience, you can teach your puppy the 'Sit', 'Down', 'Stay', 'Leave It' and 'Come' commands. These commands will help keep your pup safe and help reinforce your role as their leader. With practice and positive reinforcement, your puppy will soon be a pro at these tricks and ready to learn some more advanced ones.

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