A puppy sitting attentively during training

How to Teach a Puppy Basic Commands: Sit, Come, Down, Stay & Leave It

ByThe Pup Guide Team

Teaching your puppy basic commands isn't just about party tricks — it's about safety, communication, and building a bond. A puppy who knows "come" can be called away from danger; one who knows "leave it" won't eat something harmful. The best part: with positive reinforcement, training is fun for both of you. Here's how to teach the five essentials, step by step.

The ground rules for every command

A few principles make everything below work:

  • Keep sessions short — about 5 minutes, several times a day. End on a win.
  • Reward instantly. Mark the right moment with a "yes!" and treat within a second, so your puppy knows exactly what earned it.
  • Use high-value treats — tiny, soft, exciting rewards for training.
  • One command at a time. Get the basics of one solid before adding the next.
  • Be patient and positive. Frustration teaches nothing; fun teaches fast.

Now, the five commands, in the order I'd teach them.

1. Sit — the confidence builder

The easiest place to start, and the foundation for impulse control.

  1. Hold a treat at your puppy's nose.
  2. Slowly raise it up and back over their head. As their nose follows up, their bottom naturally lowers.
  3. The moment they sit, say "yes!" and give the treat.
  4. Once they're reliable, add the word "sit" just as they begin the motion.

Practice until "sit" alone does the job — no lure needed.

2. Come — the most important one

This is the command that can save your puppy's life, so make it the best thing ever.

  1. Start up close in a distraction-free room. Say "come" in a happy voice and take a step back.
  2. When your puppy comes to you, throw a party — enthusiastic praise and a great treat.
  3. Gradually increase the distance, then practice in the yard, then with mild distractions.
  4. Golden rule: never call "come" for something unpleasant (like nail trims or ending playtime), and never scold a puppy who comes to you — even slowly. "Come" must always mean good things, or your puppy learns to ignore it.

3. Down — settling on cue

Useful for calm and for teaching self-control.

  1. With your puppy in a sit, hold a treat at their nose.
  2. Lower it straight to the floor between their paws, then slightly out along the ground.
  3. As they follow it down into a lie-down, say "yes!" and reward.
  4. Add the word "down" once the movement is reliable.

Some puppies need to be rewarded for small steps toward the floor at first — that's fine.

4. Stay — impulse control

Build this slowly; it's about duration and distance.

  1. Ask for a sit. Hold up a flat palm and say "stay."
  2. Wait just one second, then reward while they're still sitting.
  3. Slowly increase the time — two seconds, five, ten — rewarding before they break.
  4. Then add small amounts of distance, one step at a time.
  5. Finally, add distractions. If your puppy breaks, you've gone too fast — back up a step.

The secret is rewarding before they move, so "stay" always pays off.

5. Leave it — the safety command

This one prevents your puppy from grabbing dangerous or off-limits things.

  1. Put a treat in your closed fist. Let your puppy sniff and paw at it — don't open up.
  2. The instant they stop and pull back, say "yes!" and reward from your other hand.
  3. Progress to a treat on the floor covered by your hand, then uncovered, rewarding them for leaving it.
  4. Add the cue "leave it," and practice with toys and (safely) more tempting items.

Always reward with something different from the thing they left — the lesson is "ignore that, and something even better comes from me."

Troubleshooting common snags

  • Puppy loses interest? Sessions are too long or treats too boring. Shorten and upgrade the reward.
  • Only obeys with a treat visible? Fade the lure — reward after the behavior from your pocket, not by waving food first.
  • Works at home but not outside? New environments are harder. Re-teach in each new place with easy wins and great rewards.
  • Frustrated? Stop, do one easy command they know, reward, and end on a high note.

The bottom line

Teach the essentials in order — sit, come, down, stay, leave it — with short, upbeat, reward-based sessions. Protect "come" as always-positive, reward "stay" before your puppy breaks, and use "leave it" to keep them safe. Keep it fun, end on a success, and practice a little every day. You'll build not just an obedient puppy, but a confident dog who loves learning with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What commands should I teach my puppy first?

Start with ‘sit’ — it’s the easiest and builds your puppy’s confidence and focus. Then move to ‘come’ (the most important for safety), followed by ‘down,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘leave it.’ Master one before adding the next, and keep every session short and positive.

How long should puppy training sessions be?

Keep them short — about 5 minutes, a few times a day. Puppies have brief attention spans, and short, frequent, upbeat sessions teach far more than long, frustrating ones. Always end on a success so your puppy stays eager to train.

What’s the best way to train a puppy — treats or discipline?

Positive reinforcement — rewarding the behavior you want with treats, praise, and play — is the most effective and humane approach, and it’s what modern trainers and vets recommend. Punishment tends to create fear and slow learning. Reward the good, ignore or redirect the rest.

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This is general positive-reinforcement guidance. If your puppy is struggling or showing fear or reactivity, a certified reward-based trainer can help you tailor an approach.

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