The Three Most Important Commands to Teach Your Puppy

A small puppy than jumps up on you to greet you and tries to attack you shoes is adorable, a young dog that does the same thing is far from being cute. Consequently, it is important to begin obedience training while dogs are puppies and to teach them a few basic commands while they are still young.

While dog training books and websites offer an overwhelming number of commands to teach your puppy, "Sit," "Off," and "Leave it" are the three most essential commands to teach your puppy to ensure that he or she will grow up to be a well-mannered and obedient dog.

Puppy Command #1 Sit

The most useful command to teach your puppy during its first year is the command, "Sit." As an owner, if your puppy knows how to sit, you will have an easier time teaching your puppy to behave in public, greet guests without jumping on them, and settle down during any exciting situation. "Sit" can be taught by gently pushing down on the puppies back as you say "Sit" or by holding a treat in a clenched fist just above his nose as you say "Sit." The puppy will eventually sit down to watch the treat.

Puppy Command #2 Off

In order to be a well-mannered dog, puppies also need to learn the command "Off." "Off" signifies to the puppy that she needs to have all four paws on the ground. To teach the command, persistently say the command "Off" as you remove your puppy from furniture, as you remove the puppies feet from you legs when she jumps up to greet you, and during other situations where you get the puppy down from places she shouldn't be jumping on.

Puppy Command #3 Leave It

"Leave it" means for a dog not to touch something. "Leave it" can prevent a puppy from eating something that she shouldn't, keeps him away from the family cat, and keeps him from attacking your neighbor's shoelaces while they are on the shoes on his feet. When teaching "Leave it" have two treats ready for your puppy, and put one treat right in front of him and the other in your pocket. Tell your puppy to "Leave it." If he tries to go for the treat, cover it with your hand and repeat, "Leave it." After a few rounds of this, take the treat away and give him the treat in your pocket. Gradually, move your hand further away from the treat during this exercise until you are able to sit several feet away and trust that your dog will "Leave it" on his own.