How to Train My Puppy

Teaching Your Puppy the “Basic 5”: A Groomer’s Guide

As a dog groomer with many years of hands-on experience, I’ve worked with every kind of dog you can imagine—from calm, well-mannered pups to wriggly ones who have never learned the basics.

What I’ve learned is simple: a strong training foundation changes everything. It makes grooming easier, vet visits less stressful, and daily life with your dog much smoother.

That’s why I recommend starting with the “Basic 5” cues: Come, Loose-Leash Walking, Sit, Down, and Stay.

Let me share a story-driven guide with practical tips and some of the common mistakes I see owners make, so you and your puppy can succeed together.

1. “Come!” — The Lifesaver Cue

When I brought home my own pupp, she thought running away was the best game ever. Instead of chasing her (a mistake many owners make), I taught her that coming to me was even more fun.

How to Teach It:

• Start indoors with no distractions.

• Say your puppy’s name and reward them immediately—even if they don’t move yet.

• Toss a treat away, then call them back. When they come, celebrate like it’s a party.

Pro Tip: Make recall a game! Run a few steps backward as you call their name—puppies love the chase.

Mistake to Avoid: Don’t only call your dog when it’s time for a bath, nail trim, or to stop play. That creates negative associations. Mix it up—call them over for treats, cuddles, or play.

2. Loose-Leash Walking — No More Sled Dog Routines

I can’t tell you how many clients I see being pulled into the grooming salon by their dog. Pulling isn’t just frustrating—it can be dangerous if your dog suddenly lunges.

How to Teach It:

• Reward your puppy for standing calmly at your side.

• Take one step forward. If they follow politely, treat and praise.

• If they surge ahead, simply turn and walk the other way.

Pro Tip: Keep treats at your knee or hip so your puppy learns the best place to be is right beside you.

Mistake to Avoid: Letting a small puppy pull “because it’s cute.” What feels manageable at 5kgs becomes unmanageable at 30kgs.

3. Sit — The Puppy’s First Word

“Sit” is my favorite cue because it teaches patience. I use it before meals, before grooming, before going outside—it’s a polite way for your puppy to ask for what they want.

How to Teach It:

• Hold a treat above your puppy’s nose and lift it slowly upward.

• As their head rises, their bottom naturally lowers.

• The moment it hits the ground, say “Sit” and reward.

Pro Tip: Use “Sit” in daily life—before opening the door, clipping the leash, or starting a grooming session.

Mistake to Avoid: Don’t push your puppy into a sitting position. It can make them uncomfortable or resistant. Let them discover it naturally.

4. Down — Teaching Calm

In grooming, a relaxed dog is a safe dog. Teaching “Down” helps puppies learn to settle and control their energy.

How to Teach It:

• From a sit, bring a treat slowly down to the floor.

• Reward as soon as their elbows touch down.

• Add the word “Down” once they understand the motion.

Pro Tip: Practice “Down” during quiet times (like after a walk). Puppies learn calm behaviors more easily when they’re not bursting with energy.

Mistake to Avoid: Expecting your puppy to hold “down” for minutes right away. Start with seconds and build up gradually.

5. Stay — The Art of Patience

“Stay” is one of the most useful cues in the grooming world. A dog who knows how to stay makes nail trims, brushing, and handling so much easier.

How to Teach It:

• Ask your puppy to “Sit.”

• Hold up your hand like a stop sign and say “Stay.”

• Reward after just a second, then release with a happy word like “Okay!”

• Slowly build up time and distance.

Pro Tip: Teach a release word like “Okay” or “Free” so your puppy knows exactly when they can move.

Mistake to Avoid: Asking for too much, too soon. If your puppy gets up before being released, you’ve gone too far. Scale back and keep it simple.

Final Thoughts From the Grooming Table

Training the “Basic 5” isn’t about perfection—it’s about communication. Every session builds trust, every success builds confidence, and every mistake is just a chance to learn.

As a groomer, I can always tell which dogs had patient owners who invested in training. They walk in calm, they can sit still when asked, and they trust people to handle them. Those little lessons you teach at home? They echo for years to come.

So take it slow, keep sessions fun, and remember: you’re not just teaching commands—you’re building a lifelong partnership.