Puppy Training Week 5: Mastering Leave It, Come, Wait, Stay and More
Congratulations on making it to week 5 of puppy training!
You've established a solid foundation and are on your way to training a well-behaved pup.
Although dog training is a lifelong journey, this is the last blog of our Puppy Training series.
⭐️ If you’re looking for more training tips for your puppy, we compiled all our training videos and guides for puppy parents into an app. The best part is it is completely FREE!
Topics this Week
Leave it
Sit
Down
Attention
Come
Wait
Stay
Heel
Take it/ Drop it (New)
Trick: Nose it
Building on Last Week’s Training
Leave It
Last week: I covered the low-value treats on the floor, ensuring Emma would be blocked from taking them.
This week:
🔹 I grabbed high and low-value treats.
🔹 I placed the low-value treats on the floor and uncovered them slightly.
🔹 As soon as she looked away from the treats, MARK & REWARD with a high-value treat.
🔹 Next, place the low-value treats on the floor and uncover them completely.
Remember, "leave it" means they should never take it, so you want to pick up the low-value treats and save them for another time.
@elliegoldenlife One of the most important things to teach your dog #dogtraining #goldenretrieverlife #puppy #dog ♬ original sound - Golden Retriever Life
Sit, Down, Attention, Come
This week we’re focusing on more complex and new skills, so it is important to ensure the “basic” skills remain strong.
The base skills can easily be ignored, but you don’t want to overlook the importance of a solid baseline.
This week:
🔹 I checked my timing. Am I marking as soon as Emma completes the task? Since my wife and I are training together, we provided feedback to each other.
🔹 Continued integrating sit, down, attention, and come into various environments.
Wait
Last week: I asked for a short 1-2 second wait using a gate or door.
This week:
🔹 I waited for Emma to have four paws on the floor.
🔹 I said “wait” in a low-pitch and calm tone and held my hand up, palm facing Emma.
🔹 I slowly opened the gate a few inches, calmly said our release word, “freedom,” and let Emma walk out of her crate.
🔹 MARK & REWARD
Stay
Last week: I asked Emma to “sit” while moving 4-5 steps backward and then returned to her to release.
This week:
🔹 I asked Emma to go “down.”
🔹 I held my palm out toward her, took 4-5 steps backward, then slowly moved back toward her.
🔹 If she stayed in place, I MARK & REWARD.
🔹 I calmly released with the word “freedom.”
If your puppy is successful, continue to increase the duration to 5-10 seconds.
Heel
Last week: Without a leash, I made large circles or movements around Emma, MARK & REWARD when she chose to catch up and walk by me.
This week:
🔹 I put Emma back on her leash, held treats, and made sporadic movements around the living room.
🔹 When she chose to walk next to me, I MARK & REWARD while continuing to walk forward.
🔹 I rewarded Emma each time she voluntarily chose to walk by my side.
Do not make noise or movements to entice your dog to walk next to you. Instead, just REWARD when they choose to on their own.
Take it/ Drop It (New)
🔹 I hid a high-value treat in my hand without Emma knowing.
🔹 I took her favorite tug toy and waved it around in front of her to entice her to play tug with me.
🔹 I said “drop it!” then MARK & REWARD when she released the toy.
@elliegoldenlife Drop it is such a good cue to learn #goldenretrieverlife #dogtraining #dog ♬ original sound - Golden Retriever Life
Trick
Nose it
🔹 I placed a treat between my forefinger and middle finger.
🔹 Emma would move toward the treat in an attempt to take it. When her nose hit the treat, I MARK “nose it” & REWARD.
🔹 After a few trials, I held the treats in my left hand and held out two fingers on my right hand. When her nose hit my fingers, I MARK “nose it” & REWARD.
These are the initial steps to teaching your dog nose work, which can lead to opening doors or closing cabinets.
Socialization
Emma met her goal of meeting 100 people in the first month at home. But socialization remains an important training task to continue each week. This week, Emma went to:
Puppy party (puppy socialization hour)
Puppy Kindergarten
Daycare
SniffSpot (safe outdoor space)
Congress (we got a special invite!)
Pro Tips
⭐️ Pro Tip #1: Make sure you have the right rewards.
Looking for some supplies to set your puppy up for success?
This kit is perfect for a new puppy!
The Welcome Home Starter Kit includes:
Bow Wow Buddy™
5 of our Safe Fit Bully Sticks™
1 Stay Fresh Jar
Small or Large toothbrush starter kit
Natural chew starter kit
4oz bag of Waggy Wafers
1.4oz bag of crunch puffs™
⭐️ Pro Tip #2: Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more training content
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