Basic Commands

Training Trails:
Use these guidelines to work on some basic training commands!

SIT
1. Hold a treat to your dog’s nose.
2. Slowly lift the treat over their head towards their rear. As your dog follows the treat with their nose, their back end should drop to the ground.
3. Once in a sitting position, say “yes” and give the treat.
4. Toss another treat a few feet away to reset them. Then repeat steps 1 to 3.

DOWN
1. Ask your dog to sit.
2. Hold a treat to their nose and lower it to the ground between the front paws.
3. Then move the treat on the ground away from the dog. The dog should lie down.
4. Once in the down position, say “yes” and give the treat.
5. Toss another treat a few feet away. Then repeat steps 1 to 3.

PAW
1. Hold your hand out to your dog with a treat in a fist.
2. Wait until your dog paws your hand. Say yes and give the treat. Repeat until your dog is consistently pawing at your hand.
3. Now use your empty hand and start to add the verbal cue “paw.”

TOUCH (Hand Target)
1. Hold your flat hand, palm out, in front of your dog.
2. When your dog looks at or sniffs your hand, say “yes” and reward with a treat.
3. Repeat the above steps until your dog is purposefully touching nose to palm.
4. Add a verbal cue “touch,” present your hand, wait for nose to palm, say “yes” and reward with treat.