What are the core and most important commands to teach your puppy?

Sit
Stay
Down

Here? what else?

How long after they get down one command do you then move to the next command?

Don't forget "Leave it" and "Drop it." Walking properly on leash is also very valuable.

Is your puppy going to be a pet or working dog?

Oh, and as a foundation to future training, "Watch Me" or the like is also important and one that's really easy and fun to train your pup.

For a puppy, I would say that the most important ones are the ones that can save his life...that's why I added in the leave it and drop it command.

The recall, IMO, is the most important command you can teach. Whether you use "Come" or "Here" or whatever, the dog has to get back to you asap. This may also one day be a life-saving command.

Yes, come or here is numero uno!

And just to add...don't think of it as "moving on to the next command" so much as adding to the commands. Use it or lose it does apply in the dog world! Even after your dog "gets it" you can't be complacent.

 Quote: amber morgan

And just to add...don't think of it as "moving on to the next command" so much as adding to the commands. Use it or lose it does apply in the dog world! Even after your dog "gets it" you can't be complacent.

Absolutely true!!!

Another command I use all the time is "zurueck". It's telling the dog to walk backwards.

Just needed it yesterday as a matter of fact . The dog followed me into a very tight space in my garage. I couldn't go forward, nor could he. So I told him, zurueck, and backwards he went, smoothly.

No crashing of tools down on our heads from him trying to turn himself around, no panicking because he didn't have the room to turn around, he just daintily trotted backwards, with confidence, and kept both of us from having an attack of claustrophobia!

Second command I love is "wait" which I mostly use when he is off leash and walking in the neighborhood with me. He's usually 10 to 50 feet away from me in any one direction and there are times he needs to stop dead due to an oncoming car or a person walking a dog, whatever. He knows stop and don't move.

I like "Easy" too. He knows it means to be gentle, whatever he's doing. I even use it if I see ice up ahead and he's trotting at a pace that I know he'll slide. He actually slows down! He's smart as the dickens, that guy!

 Quote: jan williamson

 Quote: amber morgan

And just to add...don't think of it as "moving on to the next command" so much as adding to the commands. Use it or lose it does apply in the dog world! Even after your dog "gets it" you can't be complacent.

Absolutely true!!!

Yup you can never have enough of the basics. Repetition to the point of boredom for the dog and yourself. Than add the distractions for a whole new game.

do you think it is important to teach a dog how to sit when they learn the here command?

So that when you tell them to "here" then the dog comes to you and sits? Or is that not important? If it is then how do you teach that without saying sit once they get to you?

Any suggestions on how to teach the "here" command?