Teaching Your Dog Basic Commands: Sit, Stay, Come

Teaching sit, stay, and come builds real-life safety and makes daily life easier—from calm greetings at the door to reliable recalls at the park. Keep sessions short (3–5 minutes), use pea-sized treats, and train when your dog is a little hungry and distractions are low. In Canada, where winter gear, icy sidewalks, and busy off-leash areas add challenges, solid basics matter even more.

How to Teach Sit and Stay (Step-by-Step)

Sit is your foundation cue. Hold a treat at your dog’s nose, slowly lift it up and back. As the head follows, the rear naturally lowers. The instant they sit, say “Yes!” (or click) and reward. Add the word “Sit” right before the motion once they’re predicting it.

Reward position, not movement: treat while they’re seated, not after they pop up.
Fade the lure: use the same hand motion without a treat, then reward from the other hand.

Stay is duration + distance + distractions. Start with your dog in a sit. Say “Stay,” show a flat hand, then pause for 1 second. Mark and reward. Increase only one variable at a time.

Use a release word: “OK” or “Free” tells them when the stay ends.
Prevent failure: if they break, quietly reset—don’t repeat “Stay” like a plea.

How to Teach Come (Reliable Recall)

Come can save your dog’s life. Indoors, say “Come!” in a happy tone, then move backward to invite chasing. Reward heavily when they reach you—treats plus praise. Practice on a long line outside (common in Canadian parks where leash rules vary by city).

Make coming awesome: never call to punish, end fun, or do scary things (like nail trims).
Play recall games: “Ping-pong” between two people, or “hide-and-seek” around the house.
Emergency recall: teach a special word (e.g., “Now!”) paired with jackpot treats.

With consistent practice, clear markers, and smart progression, sit, stay, and come become dependable tools. Aim for daily reps, then proof in new places—driveways, trails, and snowy sidewalks—so your dog listens anywhere.