Sit, down, and stay are the tripod of everyday manners. Taught well, they become your puppy’s default choices when they’re excited or unsure. The key is clarity: simple hand cues, a consistent marker (“Yes!”), and reward placement that helps your dog understand where you want them. Keep sessions short and end while your dog still wants more.

Foundations: markers, rewards, and setup

Pick a marker (a clicker or a crisp “Yes!”) and pea-sized, soft treats. Practice indoors first where distractions are low. Stand still, breathe, and be generous—early success builds momentum. Use a treat pouch for quick timing and deliver rewards exactly where you want the dog (e.g., at your left side, or on the mat).

Teach “Sit” (clean lure → hand cue → verbal)

1. Lure: Move a treat from the nose up/back. As the butt touches the floor → mark “Yes!” → treat. Repeat 5–8 easy reps.
2. Fade lure: Do the same hand motion with an empty hand; reward from the other hand or pouch.
3. Add the word: Say “sit,” then do the hand cue. After several successes, try the word alone, then reward.

If your dog jumps instead of sitting, slow down and keep the hand closer to the nose. Reward calm, still sits.

Teach “Down” (from sit or stand)

1. Lure: From sit, glide a treat from the nose to the ground between the paws. Mark the instant elbows touch → treat.
2. Hand cue: Flatten your hand and sweep to the floor without a treat; reward from the other hand.
3. Verbal: Say “down,” then hand cue. Build fluency before asking at a distance.

Struggling? Try luring under your leg or a low chair—this shapes a fold-back down. Keep it easy and fun.

Teach “Stay” (duration → distance → distractions)

1. Duration: Ask for sit/down → say “stay” once → count 1–2 seconds → mark → treat. Do many tiny wins.
2. Distance: Take a half-step back, return quickly → mark → treat. Build to full steps.
3. Distractions: Look away, clap softly, or drop a treat elsewhere (then feed at your dog for holding position).

Use a release word (“Free!”). Pay the release sometimes so it stays meaningful. If your dog breaks, just reset and make it easier.

Common mistakes

• Talking too much: Extra chatter muddies cues; use clean signals.
• Skipping steps: If duration is weak, don’t add distance yet.
• Feeding out of position: Deliver rewards where you want your dog to be.
• Long sessions: Stop before focus fades; many short wins beat one long grind.

Troubleshooting & proofing

Dog pops up during stay? Lower criteria: shorter time, closer distance, or fewer distractions. Mark more frequently. Downs are slow? Use higher-value rewards and reward multiple times while your dog remains down. Only works indoors? Rebuild outside: short reps, richer rewards, and a quieter location first.

Once solid, switch to variable reinforcement (sometimes treats, sometimes praise/play) and practice in different rooms, then outside, then around mild distractions. Reliability is built by rehearsing success in many contexts.

FAQ

Build on these foundations:

• Teach “Place” / Mat
• Loose-leash walking
• Leave it & Drop it