Puppy Training Guide: Name Recognition, Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Leash Training, Leave It, Drop It

Day 1: Name Recognition

• Choose a quiet environment to minimize distractions.
• Say your puppy’s name in a clear, upbeat tone.
• When your puppy looks at you or responds to their name, reward them with a small treat and praise. Repeat this several times throughout the day.

Day 2: Teaching “Sit”

• Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose, so they can smell it.
• Slowly move the treat upwards and slightly backward, causing your puppy to naturally lower their rear end into a sitting position.
• As soon as your puppy sits, give them the treat and praise them with enthusiasm. Repeat this exercise several times, using treats as a reward.

Day 3: Practicing “Sit”

• Repeat the “sit” exercise from the previous day, gradually reducing the use of treats.
• Instead of luring your puppy with a treat, use a hand gesture or verbal cue such as saying “sit” while guiding them into the sitting position.
• Reward your puppy with verbal praise and intermittent treats when they sit correctly.

Day 4: Teaching “Down”

• Start with your puppy in a sitting position.
• Hold a treat close to their nose, then slowly lower it straight down to the ground.
• As your puppy follows the treat, their body should naturally lower into a lying-down position.
• Once your puppy is fully lying down, reward them with the treat and praise. Repeat this exercise several times.

Day 5: Practicing “Down”

• Repeat the “down” exercise from the previous day, gradually reducing the use of treats.
• Use a hand gesture or verbal cue such as saying “down” while guiding your puppy into the lying-down position.
• Continue to reward your puppy with verbal praise when they respond correctly.

Day 6: Teaching “Stay”

• Ask your puppy to sit.
• Extend your hand in front of their face like a stop sign and say “stay” in a firm but calm voice.
• Take a step backward, and if your puppy remains in the sitting position, reward them with a treat and praise.
• Gradually increase the distance and duration of the stay, always rewarding your puppy for successful stays.

Day 7: Practicing “Stay”

• Repeat the “stay” exercise from the previous day, gradually increasing the distance and duration.
• Make sure to use both verbal cues and hand gestures to reinforce the command.
• Reward your puppy when they stay in place, even if it’s just for a few seconds longer than before.

Day 8: Teaching “Come”

• Crouch down and open your arms while saying “come” in an inviting tone.
• Use a happy and excited voice to encourage your puppy to come to you.
• When your puppy reaches you, reward them with praise and a treat. Repeat this exercise in a safe and enclosed area.

Day 9: Practicing “Come”

• Repeat the “come” exercise from the previous day, gradually increasing the distance between you and your puppy.
• Continue to use an enthusiastic tone and reward your puppy when they come to you promptly.

Day 10: Leash Training Introduction

• Introduce your puppy to a lightweight leash and attach it to their collar.
• Let them walk around indoors while supervised, allowing them to get used to the feeling of having a leash attached.
• Encourage your puppy to walk beside you by using treats and praise. Practice walking short distances.

Day 11: Leash Training Practice

• Take your puppy for short walks outdoors in a quiet and safe area.
• Focus on loose leash walking, where the leash is loose and relaxed.
• Maintain a consistent pace and reward your puppy for walking calmly beside you.
• Use treats and praise as positive reinforcement.

Day 12: Teaching “Leave It”

• Hold a treat in your closed hand, allowing your puppy to sniff and show interest.
• Say “leave it” in a firm but calm voice and close your hand.
• Wait for your puppy to lose interest in your hand and reward them with a different treat and praise.
• Repeat this exercise several times, gradually increasing the difficulty by placing treats on the ground or near your puppy.

Day 13: Practicing “Leave It”

• Repeat the “leave it” exercise from the previous day, gradually increasing the difficulty.
• Use various objects or food items to teach your puppy to ignore and leave them alone when commanded.
• Continue to reward your puppy for responding correctly with treats and praise.

Day 14: Teaching “Drop It”

• Offer your puppy a toy or object that they enjoy playing with.
• Encourage them to hold it in their mouth.
• Say “drop it” in a gentle but firm tone and offer a treat.
• As your puppy drops the item to take the treat, praise them and reward them with the treat.
• Repeat this exercise several times, gradually replacing the treat with praise and playtime as the reward.

Day 15: Practicing “Drop It”

• Repeat the “drop it” exercise from the previous day, gradually increasing the difficulty.
• Use different toys or objects and continue to reinforce the command with treats, praise, and play.

Day 16: Introduction to Crate Training

• Introduce your puppy to their crate by leaving the door open and placing treats and toys inside.
• Encourage your puppy to explore the crate and reward them with treats and praise when they enter.
• Start closing the door for short periods while your puppy is inside, gradually increasing the duration.
• Make the crate a positive and comfortable place for your puppy, using treats and praise.

Day 17: Practicing Crate Training

• Repeat the crate training exercises from the previous day, gradually increasing the duration.
• Use a command like “crate” or “kennel” when you want your puppy to enter the crate.
• Reward your puppy for calmly entering and staying in the crate, using treats and verbal praise.

Day 18: Socialization Introduction

• Introduce your puppy to new people, sounds, and environments in a controlled manner.
• Invite friends and family members to interact with your puppy in a positive and gentle way.
• Expose your puppy to different sounds and environments, starting with low-stress situations and gradually increasing the complexity.

Day 19: Socialization Practice

• Repeat the socialization exercises from the previous day, continuing to expose your puppy to various people, sounds, and environments.
• Reward your puppy for calm and positive interactions, using treats and praise.

Day 20: Teaching “Leave”

• Hold a treat in your open hand, allowing your puppy to sniff and show interest.
• Close your hand and say “leave” in a firm but calm voice.
• Wait for your puppy to back away or lose interest in your hand and reward them with a different treat and praise.
• Repeat this exercise several times, gradually increasing the difficulty by using more tempting objects or treats.

Day 21: Practicing “Leave”

• Repeat the “leave” exercise from the previous day, gradually increasing the difficulty.
• Use different objects or treats and continue to reward your puppy for responding correctly with treats and praise.

Day 22: Focus and Eye Contact

• Hold a treat near your face and say your puppy’s name.
• When they make eye contact with you, reward them with the treat and praise.
• Practice this exercise multiple times, gradually increasing the duration of eye contact before giving the reward.

Day 23: Loose Leash Walking

• Attach a leash to your puppy’s collar or harness.
• Begin walking slowly and encourage your puppy to walk beside you.
• When they stay by your side without pulling, reward them with treats and praise.
• If they start pulling, stop walking and wait until they come back to your side before continuing.

Day 24: Handling and Grooming

• Gradually introduce your puppy to being handled and groomed.
• Start with gentle touches on their body and gradually progress to brushing their fur or touching their paws.
• Reward them with treats and praise for calm behavior during each grooming session.

Day 25: “Stay” Command

• Ask your puppy to sit or lie down.
• Extend your hand in a “stop” gesture and say “stay” in a firm but gentle voice.
• Take a step back and wait for a few seconds.
• If your puppy stays in the position, reward them with treats and praise.
• Gradually increase the distance and duration of the “stay” command.

Day 26: Recall Training

• In a secure area, call your puppy’s name in an enthusiastic tone.
• When they come to you, reward them with treats and praise.
• Repeat this exercise multiple times, gradually increasing the distance and distractions.

Day 27: Sit-Stay and Down-Stay

• Ask your puppy to sit or lie down.
• Give the “stay” command and take a step back.
• If they maintain the position, reward them with treats and praise.
• Gradually increase the distance and duration of the sit-stay and down-stay exercises.

Day 28: Impulse Control

• Hold a treat in your hand and close your fist.
• Allow your puppy to sniff and paw at your hand, but do not open it until they stop trying to get the treat.
• Once they calm down and stop pawing, reward them with the treat and praise.
• Repeat this exercise multiple times, gradually increasing the duration of impulse control.

Day 29: Review and Reinforce Previous Commands

• Spend this day reviewing and reinforcing the commands and behaviors your puppy has learned throughout the training process.
• Practice each command and reward your puppy for correct responses.

Day 30: Celebrate Progress!

• Take time to appreciate the progress your puppy has made over the past 30 days.
• Engage in playtime and reward them with treats and praise for their accomplishments.
• Continue training and reinforcing the learned behaviors as you move forward.

Remember to be patient, consistent, and positive throughout the training process. Each puppy progresses at their own pace, so adjust the training to suit your puppy’s individual needs. With dedication and practice, your Pomeranian will grow into a well-behaved and obedient companion.