Sit, Stay, Come — The Core 3 Commands

Every training plan starts here. Sit, Stay, and Come (recall) are not just party tricks — they're safety commands. A reliable "come" can pull your dog back from a dangerous road. A solid "stay" keeps them calm at the door when guests arrive. A quick "sit" interrupts unwanted behavior instantly. Learn these three first and you'll have the tools to handle most everyday situations.

Why These Three First?

These commands share a key advantage: they create a default behavior. When your dog doesn't know what to do, they'll default to whatever you've rewarded most. A dog that sits automatically when uncertain is infinitely easier to manage than one that jumps, barks, or bolts. These three commands build that foundation.

Teaching Sit

What you need: 10–15 small, soft treats. A quiet space with minimal distractions. Your dog on leash to prevent wandering.

1. Lure the sit
   Hold a treat at your dog's nose. Slowly move it up and back over their head. As their nose follows the treat up, their bottom naturally goes down. The moment their bottom touches the floor — click or say "yes!" and give the treat.
2. Repeat 5–10 times per session
   Do this until your dog follows the lure reliably. Don't add the verbal cue yet — wait until the behavior is happening consistently.
3. Add the word "sit"
   Once they're sitting reliably with the hand lure, say "sit" just before you begin the lure motion. Over time, the word becomes the cue and the hand motion fades.
4. Fade the lure
   Gradually reduce the treat in your hand. Use the same hand motion (now an empty hand signal) and reward from your other hand or treat pouch. Most dogs make this transition in 3–5 sessions.

Teaching Stay

Stay is taught in three parts — duration (how long), distance (how far you move away), and distraction (what's happening around them). Master duration first; never rush to distance.

1. Start with one second
   Ask for sit. Open palm toward dog, say "stay." Wait one second. Reward while they're still in position. That's the key — reward BEFORE they move, not after.
2. Build duration slowly
   Increase to 2 seconds, then 3, then 5, then 10. If they break at 8 seconds, go back to 5 and build more slowly. Never increase by more than 50% at a time.
3. Add a release word
   Use a word like "free" or "okay" to signal that stay is over. Always release them clearly — otherwise they learn to break stay whenever they feel like it.
4. Add distance
   Only after they can hold stay for 30+ seconds with you right next to them. Take one step back, return, reward. Gradually increase to 5 feet, 10 feet, and eventually out of sight.

Teaching Come (Recall)

Recall is the most important command your dog will learn — and the one most owners accidentally teach wrong. The #1 mistake: calling your dog to you and then doing something unpleasant (clipping nails, ending play, scolding them). After a few of those, "come" starts meaning "bad things happen."

1. Make coming to you the best thing ever
   Start indoors. Say your dog's name + "come!" in a happy, excited voice. When they arrive, throw a party — treats, praise, petting, excitement. Every single time.
2. Practice on a long line outdoors
   Use a 15–30 foot training leash. Let them wander, then call. If they don't come, gently guide them in with the leash — never punish them for a slow recall. When they arrive, reward generously.
3. Never call them for something they dislike
   If you need to give a bath, trim nails, or end play — go get them. Don't call them. Protect the recall command by reserving it for positive associations only.
4. Practice everywhere
   Call them randomly throughout the day indoors — just for a treat. This builds the habit of running toward you the instant they hear their name + "come."

Common Mistakes

• Repeating commands — "Sit... sit... SIT..." teaches the dog that the first cue is optional. Say it once, then help them succeed.
• Punishing a slow recall — If your dog finally comes to you after ignoring the first call, you must still reward them. The reward is for coming, not for speed.
• Training when frustrated — Dogs read emotion perfectly. Frustration turns training into stress. End sessions before you get frustrated.
• Sessions too long — Puppies have 3–5 minute attention spans. Adults can do 10–15 minute sessions. Stopping early beats grinding past the dog's focus limit.

Practice Schedule

For fastest results: 3–5 minute sessions, 2–3 times per day. That's just 10–15 minutes daily — less than one TV commercial break. Consistency beats length every time.