Read this before you start:
Remember although the outline may say reward you can choose any reward you like for your dog, treats, toys, or petting.
Before you train a behavior make sure you know what the behavior entails. For example when you command a dog to “come” do you what him to come up to the front of you or would it be ok if the dog went to your right side? Dogs learn best when things are black and white and the rules of the behavior are clear.
When starting out training be in a quiet environment with minimal distractions. As your dog gets better you can train in areas with more activity.
Short training sessions are best so your dog doesn’t get bored. You don’t have to complete all the steps in one session. The shorter and more positive training session, will be the most effective.
Helpful training tip- if there is anything that you want trained quickly ask your dog to perform this behavior before they eat their dinner or breakfast. You’ll have their full undivided attention and motivation!
Sit- (puppy’s rump is on the floor) See the Instructional Video

• Pattern the dog into a sit. One way to get a dog into a sit position is to attach the leash to his collar and lift the leash up. While you are lifting the leash, nag up (give short little jerks) so that there isn’t a constant pressure. Dogs will fight against a constant pressure not nags.  With the up force of the leash the dog will lift his head and curl his hips under his body.  As he is moving into position tell him “sit”.
• Once the dog is in this position give him soft praise. (if you are clicking click and treat here)
• Increase the amount of time you expect him to sit from a few seconds as a pup to minutes at 18 months.
• Tell him “release” and then reward him.

If the dog gets up before you release him

• Correct him and put him back into position. (Make sure you return him to the same spot that he was sitting so it is clear he must stay in position.)
• Softly praise him when he complies
• Only keep him there for a short time
• Tell him “release” and reward him

Down- (puppy lying prone on the ground) See the Instructional Video

• Have the puppy in a sit
• Kneel on the right side of the puppy and place your left hand on the back of his shoulders and bring your right hand under his front legs.
• Tell him “down” and lift his front legs up and out, while gently applying a little pressure on his shoulders with your left hand.
• Give gentle praise when he is lying down. (if you are clicking, click and treat here)
• Tell him “stay” and stroke his shoulders so he doesn’t get up.
• Keep him in this position for a few seconds and then tell him “release” and reward him.

If the dog gets up before you release him

• Correct him and put him back into position. (Make sure you return him to the same spot that he was in a down so it is clear he must stay in position.)
• Softly praise him when he complies
• Only keep him there for a short time
• Tell him “release” and reward him

Stay- (I would recommend using food for this one as a reward) See the Instructional Video

• Begin by standing next to the puppy and tell him “stay”
• Move one step away from him and quickly return to him giving him a piece of food and praise.
• Gradually increase the amount of steps you are able to move away from him without him breaking.
• After a few seconds tell him “release” and reward him.
• Next time you teach him this command increase the amount of time you expect him to stay.

If the dog gets up before you release him

• Correct him and put him back into position. (Make sure you return him to the same spot that he was in a stay so it is clear he must stay in position)
• Softly praise him when he complies
• Only keep him there for a short time
• Tell him “release” and reward him

Heel- (gets the dog to walk with you on a loose leash) Video Coming Soon
You can teach the puppy in two stages

• To begin have the dog on his leash lying next to you
• Tell him “Heel” and immediately begin walking
• Praise the dog as soon as he gets up and begins walking with you. If the dog is sluggish encourage him with an enthusiastic voice.

Next you teach him he must walk next to you on a loose leash

• Begin with the puppy already walking next to you
• Keep the leash loose and your arm relaxed next to your side
• Walk slowly for ten seconds
• If the dog pulls ahead or lags behind creating tension give a jerk correction and give praise if the dog stops to look at you or if the leash goes slack.

Training tip- A dog will pay more attention to you if your path is interesting and unpredictable in training. Make right or left turns in different orders, if the dog pulls ahead quickly turn around away from the dog and head in a different direction with a quick jerk correction.  Another thing you may do is turn into the dog if he pulls ahead so that he has to move out of your way.

Come- (dog is released and returns allowing owner to leash him) Video Coming Soon
Tools: a regular walking leash, and a retractable leash

Come is a very important command and could be life saving for your dog. If your dog has a great command response you can easily get him out of dangerous situations, away from running into traffic in the street or avoiding a scuffle with another dog. The key to the come command is progressing slowly to eventually allowing your dog to respond to the command when he is off leash.
Before beginning find a treat that your dog really loves. Training the come command becomes a lot easier when the reward is a jackpot in the dog’s mind.  "Natural Balance Dog Food Roll" is a great tasty treat and works great as an enticing reward, dogs love it. I would recommend not using it for training other commands because you want this command to stand out above all others. Coming to you should be incredibly astounding for your dog.

• Begin with your dog on a short leash. Give him a “release” command and allow him to explore his environment while still being on leash. Then say his name and “Come” and tug him on the leash to get him back to you.  When he comes give him praise and treats. (If you are clicking it may be helpful to have the clicker and leash in one hand and the food reward prepared in the other before saying come. Immediately when he returns click and treat.) Owners often get frustrated because when they call their dog he’ll return and then run away. A good way to prevent this behavior is to take hold of his collar when he comes to you and give him one treat, a short pause and then another, and then another.  He’ll learn to stick around!
• After your dog returns to you on a short leash a few times.  Find a retractable leash.  Give him a “release” command and allow him to explore his environment while still being on the retractable leash. Then say his name and “Come” and tug him on the leash to get him back to you.  Remember to lock the retractable leash before tugging because the dog won’t feel anything if the line isn’t taut. When he comes give him praise and treats. (Again if you are clicking it may be helpful to have the clicker and leash in one hand and the food reward prepared in the other before saying come. Immediately when he returns click and treat.)
• After a few commands with the retractable leash you can now pause and see if he returns to you on his own before tugging him back with the leash.
• *At this point your dog may be learning the game and he may be following you or returning to you on his own. If he does this praise him even if you haven’t given him a command! He is showing initiative, what a smarty! Give him some time eventually he’ll get distracted and you can continue training.
• Once he is being consistent on returning to you on his own you can take him off leash and continue calling him and rewarding. At some point he may not respond to you and you can take a few steps back in the training progression. If this happens just put him on a leash again. Regression in training isn’t a failure, all good trainers know that regression is actually a normal and expected part of training.

Next: Training Corrections