Teaching basic commands to your dog is about more than obedience. It’s about communication, safety, and peaceful cohabitation.
And when it comes to large dogs — like Max, my 32-kilo Labrador full of energy — these commands become even more important.
Max has always been gentle, but also… very enthusiastic. Imagine him jumping on guests or pulling me across the street because he saw a pigeon.
At first, it was kind of funny. But I quickly realized that if I didn’t teach him the basics, he could cause — or suffer — an accident.
That’s when I started working on the three commands I consider essential: sit, stay, and heel.
And here’s how I did it, simply and honestly — with a few mistakes, some successes, and lots of treats along the way!
Starting with “Sit”
This is the easiest command and serves as the base for many others.
With Max, I held a treat close to his nose, then slowly moved it back over his head.
Almost naturally, he would sit to keep following the motion.
As soon as he sat, I said “sit” in a calm, firm voice and gave him the treat right after.
And of course: lots of praise and “good boy!” — they love knowing they got it right.
I did this five times a day for just a few minutes, and soon he was sitting just from the verbal cue or a small hand signal.
“Stay” takes more patience
Once “sit” was solid, I moved on to “stay.” This one was trickier because Max is curious and full of energy.
Here’s what I did: with him sitting, I’d say “stay” and hold my hand out like a stop sign. I’d take one step back, and if he stayed still, I’d return and reward him.
If he got up, we started over. At first, he could stay for just two seconds.
But over time, I increased the distance and the time.
Now I can ask him to stay while I open the gate, pick up a delivery, or even step out of the room — and he stays.
Because he knows a reward is coming.
“Heel” made our walks a dream
“Heel” was a game changer on walks. Before learning it, Max would pull the leash so hard, he turned every outing into a mini workout.
I started training “heel” at home, with the leash on, and every time he walked beside me without pulling, I’d say “heel” and give him a treat.
If he pulled ahead, I’d stop and wait for him to return.
I also used toys and treats during short routes. The key here was consistency — bringing treats on walks, repeating the process, and showering him with praise when he got it right.
Now he walks calmly by my side, occasionally looking up at me — and our walks are peaceful, enjoyable moments for both of us.
One important reminder
Training a large dog doesn’t have to be hard, but it requires routine, patience, and calm. It’s not about controlling your dog — it’s about building trust.
Max learned all these commands with positive reinforcement, short sessions (5–10 minutes), and a lot of love.
No scolding, no leash jerking — just consistency and connection.
And I can tell you: when your big dog learns to sit on command, stay when you ask, and walk calmly beside you… everything changes. 🐾💚
You feel safer, your dog feels more connected, and your time together becomes even more meaningful.