Teaching Your Doodle Basic Commands: Sit, Stay, Come and Down

Teaching the four foundational commands — Sit, Stay, Come, and Down — is the foundation of every well-behaved dog’s training. In Poodles and Doodles, these commands are typically learned in 3–10 repetitions due to the breed’s exceptional trainability. This guide provides the exact, step-by-step method for each command, using positive reinforcement techniques proven to work fastest and create the most reliable responses.

The Positive Reinforcement Principle

Every command in this guide uses positive reinforcement: the behaviour you want is immediately rewarded with a treat or praise, making the dog more likely to repeat it. Punishment-based training (leash corrections, “alpha rolls,” raised voices) has been conclusively shown in research to produce slower learning, more fear, and less reliability than reward-based methods — and Poodles and Doodles are particularly sensitive dogs who respond poorly to aversive methods.

Teaching “Sit”

Hold a treat just above the dog’s nose and slowly move it back over their head toward their tail. As the head follows the treat backward, the hindquarters naturally lower. The moment their bottom touches the floor, say “Sit” clearly once and immediately give the treat. Practice: 5 repetitions, 3 times daily. Most Doodles learn this in 1–3 sessions. Progress: add 1-second duration before treating, building to 10 seconds over the next week.

Teaching “Down”

From a sitting position, hold a treat in your fist, place it at the dog’s nose, and slowly lower it directly to the floor between their front paws. As they lower their nose to follow, their elbows naturally hit the floor. Moment of full down: say “Down” once, treat. Alternatively: lure from a stand by dragging the treat away from them along the floor — their nose follows and the body folds into down. Do not push on the dog’s back — let the lure do the work.

Teaching “Come” (Recall)

Recall is the most important safety command — a reliable recall can save your dog’s life. Make it the most rewarding command in your dog’s training. Practice: crouch down, open arms, say “Come” enthusiastically, and immediately treat/play party when they arrive. Never use “Come” to do something unpleasant (bath, nail trim, crate when they don’t want to go) — this poisons the cue. Use a long line in open spaces for safety while teaching outdoor recall.

Teaching “Stay”

Build on “Sit” or “Down.” Ask for Sit, pause 1 second, treat, release with “Okay.” Add 1 second of duration every 3–5 successful repetitions. If the dog breaks the stay: you moved too fast — go back to shorter duration. Build duration before adding distance. Duration → Distance → Distraction, in that order. A reliable Stay comes from hundreds of short, successful repetitions — not from demanding too much too soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: At what age should I start training my Doodle puppy?
A: Training begins the day the puppy comes home — at 8 weeks, if that is the puppy’s age. Young puppies learn remarkably fast. Keep sessions very short (2–3 minutes maximum for 8–10 week puppies) and entirely positive. The idea that “you have to wait until the puppy is 6 months to train” is outdated and harmful — the most critical learning window is the first 16 weeks.

Q: How long should training sessions be for an adult Doodle?
A: 5–10 minutes per session, 2–3 sessions per day is optimal. Dogs learn better in short, frequent, high-engagement sessions than in long, boring ones. End every session on a success (ask for something the dog knows well, reward generously, finish).

Q: My Doodle already knows “Sit” but ignores it sometimes — why?
A: Either the environment has more distractions than the level of training has prepared for, or the treat reward is insufficient for the distraction level. When going outdoors or to more stimulating environments, use higher-value treats (chicken, cheese) than used at home. Dogs do not “know” a command universally until it has been proofed across many environments at gradually increasing distraction levels.

Q: Should I use clicker training?
A: Clicker training (marking the exact moment of correct behaviour with a “click” before treating) increases precision and learning speed — particularly useful for shaping complex behaviours. The clicker bridges the gap between the behaviour and the treat, giving the dog precise information about what earned the reward. Excellent choice for Doodles — their intelligence benefits from the precision.

Q: What treats are best for training a Doodle in India?
A: Small size (pea-sized), high value, quick to eat: boiled chicken breast (most effective), Dogsee Chew small training treats, cheese (small cubes), commercial treats cut small. Avoid large or crumbly treats that distract the dog from the training. Training treats should be more appealing than everyday food.