Sit. Stay. Teaching the basics.

Even the most well trained dog started with the basics.  Sit.  Down.  Stay.  Come.  Well, we’ve already covered come.  Not only are these easy commands to teach, but they also teach both dog and trainer how to communicate.

 

Sit-

This is a very basic bait and lure behavior.  Tell your dog to sit.  At the same time, hold a treat in your hand and use it to lure your dog’s nose upwards and back.  As soon as his butt hits the floor, he gets his reward.  Repeat this until he is confident at the sit.  Once he really gets it, add a hand signal.  This can be anything, but the most common signal is pictured below.  Eventually, you can begin to wean him off treats.

Man demonstrating a common hand signal for sit

Down-

Another basic behavior, this trick proves to be quite valuable.  The same rules of teaching that apply to the sit also apply to the down.  Tell your dog "down" while using your treat to lure his head down.  When both elbows and bottom hit the ground, you give your reward.  Again, repeat until your dog is confident, teach a hand signal, and wean off treats.  

Man demonstrating a common hand signal for down

 

 

 

 

Stay-

 

 

 

 

This behavior is almost as important for a dog to learn as come.  Put a leash on your dog, and tell him to stay.  Back up one step.  If your dog moves, without saying anything, lead him back to the same position and start over.  Stay.  Step back.  When he holds his position, come back to him and give him his reward.  Repeat until he is confident, then add an extra step back.  The stay can be done in any position.  If your dog is having trouble at a certain distance, start over at one step.  Don’t worry, eventually he’ll get it.

Man demonstrating a common hand signal for stay

These basics are the foundations of more complex behaviors.  It is my opinion that every dog should have these basics mastered.  Once your dog is confident at these commands, build on them!  Happy training.