Day one of training is where the magic begins. In this session, we worked with a beautiful 4-month-old Australian Shepherd; smart, high-energy, and eager to please. Right away, we began introducing four essential obedience commands: heel, sit, stay, and down. These are the foundation of everything that follows, and when taught correctly, they help create a calm, well-mannered dog from the start.
First Things First: The Right Tools Matter
Before we ever give a command, we make sure we’re set up for success. That starts with proper equipment, in this case, a well-fitted training collar. When used correctly, it allows us to give snap-and-release corrections without harming the dog. The collar should fit the neck evenly, never putting pressure on the trachea or other sensitive areas. So we always stress: use the right tools, the right way.
Heel: Walking with Purpose
We start with heel, always leading with the left leg. It’s a key obedience skill, teaching your dog to walk calmly beside you on a loose leash. During this early stage, it’s about giving quick, gentle corrections if they stray out of position and plenty of praise when they stay in the “bubble” next to your left side. Right thumb to the loop, left hand about three-quarters down the leash. That gives us control while allowing the dog room to think and respond. When she’s walking well, we say it with excitement: “Good heel!”
Sit: Building Calm from the Ground Up
Next comes sit. We use the guided sit technique, where light pressure is applied to the leash and released the moment the puppy’s rear touches the ground. If she doesn’t sit right away, we calmly assist by guiding her down. But we only say the word once. Repeating the command conditions the dog to ignore the first cue. Instead, we use calm, consistent pressure and timing. When she gets it right, we give chest-level praise, always.
Stay: Early Repetition, Lasting Focus
The stay command is a little more advanced, but we start introducing it on day one. At first, it’s okay to say “stay” a few times during the movement. Over time, by about day three, we expect the dog to stay after hearing it once. We reset the position when she breaks it, but we hold off on praise until she follows through the first time. That’s when the reward matters most.
Down: Calm Control in Any Environment
Now we introduce down, which requires both leash guidance and body control. With more active puppies, we sometimes use a foot on the leash to help them understand what we’re asking. The goal is calm, grounded behavior, especially important for high-drive breeds. Once the dog lies down, we give calm, slower praise to avoid overstimulating them. Fast praise excites; here, we want them to settle.
Tone of Voice Is Everything
Dogs respond not just to words, but to tone. Throughout training, we use three tones:
- Commanding – Clear and firm, but never yelling
- Corrective – Sharp and direct (like a “No”)
- Praise – Softer, higher, and encouraging
Playing with your tone teaches your dog how to read you. That’s essential for building trust and effective communication.
Breaks with Boundaries
Even on a “break,” rules still apply. When we give the release command; “Break!”, it’s a celebration. But that doesn’t mean pulling, jumping, or chaos. If the pup tries to take the lead, we stay ready with a quick, light correction to remind them that respect doesn’t pause. Breaks are part of training, too—they teach calm freedom, not wild freedom.
Why Early Training Sets the Tone
At just 4 months old, this Australian Shepherd showed how much a young pup can learn in a short time. With consistency, patience, and the right tools, even the most energetic breeds can start developing obedience, confidence, and trust. This was only day one, but the progress already spoke volumes. With each session, that “cute puppy” becomes a calm, responsive, and well-mannered companion. That’s what we call One Clever Canine.
Ready to Start Your Pup’s Training?
We offer free evaluation sessions for new clients across Miami-Dade and Broward County (for dogs 2 months to 5 years old, subject to trainer approval). Whether you’re starting with basic training or need a board-and-train solution, One Clever Canine delivers customized, results-driven programs to fit your lifestyle.
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