Basic Obedience

---
name: basic-obedience
locale: caveman-ultra
source_locale: en
source_commit: 82c77053
fence_basis_commit: 82c77053
translator: "Julius Brussee homage — caveman"
translation_date: "2026-04-19"
description: >
  Foundation obedience training for dogs — sit, stay, come, heel, and down
  using positive reinforcement and marker training. Covers timing, reward
  hierarchy, session structure, distraction proofing, and common handler
  errors. Use when a new puppy (8+ weeks) is ready for foundation training, an
  adult dog lacks reliable basic commands, a rescue dog needs to learn the
  household's command vocabulary, before advancing to complex behaviors or
  off-leash work, or when existing commands have degraded and need
  re-establishing.
license: MIT
allowed-tools: Read
metadata:
  author: Philipp Thoss
  version: "1.0"
  domain: animal-training
  complexity: intermediate
  language: natural
  tags: animal-training, dog, obedience, positive-reinforcement, marker-training, commands
---

# Basic Obedience

Foundation cmds (sit, stay, come, heel, down) → positive reinforcement + marker training.

## Use When

- New puppy (8+ wks) ready for foundation
- Adult dog no reliable basics
- Rescue dog → learn household cmd vocab
- Before complex behaviors or off-leash
- Existing cmds degraded → re-establish

## In

- **Required**: Dog (any breed, 8+ wks)
- **Required**: High-value treats (small, soft, quick)
- **Optional**: Clicker or verbal marker ("yes")
- **Optional**: 6-ft leash + flat collar/harness
- **Optional**: Quiet space, min distractions (init)

## Do

### Step 1: Charge Marker

Marker bridges behavior → reward.

```text
Marker Training Protocol:
1. Choose your marker: clicker (precise) or verbal "yes" (always available)
2. Charge the marker (10-15 reps):
   - Mark (click or "yes") then immediately deliver a treat
   - No behavior required — just marker → treat, marker → treat
   - Dog should begin orienting toward you at the sound of the marker
3. Test: mark when the dog is looking away. Does the dog turn toward
   you expecting a treat? If yes, the marker is charged.

Timing Rule:
The marker must occur WITHIN 1 second of the desired behavior.
Late marking teaches the wrong behavior.
Mark → then reach for the treat (not the reverse).
```

**→** Dog orients to handler on marker, expects reward.

**If err:** No response after 20 reps → treat value low. Higher-value (cheese, chicken, liver). Dog too distracted to eat → env too stimulating, quieter space.

### Step 2: Five Foundation Cmds

One cmd per session → reliable, then mix.

```text
Command Protocols:

SIT:
1. Hold treat above dog's nose, slowly arc backward over the head
2. As the dog's head follows up, the rear naturally lowers
3. The instant the rear touches the ground → mark and treat
4. Add the verbal cue "sit" AFTER the dog is offering the behavior reliably
   (cue comes before behavior only once the dog understands the behavior)

DOWN:
1. From a sit, hold treat at the dog's nose then lower slowly to the ground
2. Draw the treat slightly forward along the ground
3. As elbows touch the ground → mark and treat
4. If the dog stands instead, reset and try with less forward movement

STAY:
1. Ask for a sit or down
2. Open palm toward the dog, say "stay"
3. Wait 1 second → mark and treat while the dog is still in position
4. Gradually increase duration: 2s, 5s, 10s, 30s, 1 min
5. Add distance: one step back, then two, then five
6. Add distraction: only after duration and distance are solid
   (the "three Ds": Duration, Distance, Distraction — increase one at a time)

COME (recall):
1. Start on a long line (15-30 ft) in a low-distraction environment
2. Let the dog wander, then call name + "come" in an upbeat tone
3. If the dog turns toward you → mark → reward generously when the dog arrives
4. NEVER call "come" for something unpleasant (bath, crate, leaving the park)
5. Recall is the most important safety command — make it the most rewarding

HEEL:
1. Dog on your left side, treat in left hand at your hip
2. Take one step, if the dog moves with you → mark and treat
3. Gradually increase to two steps, five steps, ten steps
4. Mark and treat for maintaining position (head roughly at your knee)
5. If the dog pulls ahead, stop walking. Resume when the leash is loose.
```

**→** Each cmd reliable in low-distraction env w/ treats.

**If err:** Cmd no progress after 3 sessions → break into smaller steps. Intermediate behavior (e.g., "down" → reward head-lowering before full elbows-on-ground).

### Step 3: Session Structure

```text
Session Guidelines:
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Parameter          | Guideline                                |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+
| Duration           | 5-10 minutes (puppies: 3-5 minutes)      |
| Frequency          | 2-3 sessions per day                     |
| End on success     | Always end after a successful rep, not   |
|                    | after a failure                          |
| Reward rate        | Initially: every correct rep             |
|                    | Later: intermittent (variable schedule)  |
| Energy management  | High-energy dog? Exercise BEFORE training|
|                    | Low-energy dog? Train when most alert    |
| Session structure  | Warm-up (easy known command) → new       |
|                    | material → cool-down (easy command)      |
+--------------------+------------------------------------------+

The 80/20 Rule:
- 80% of reps should succeed (dog is getting it right)
- If success rate drops below 80%, the criteria is too high — go easier
- 20% challenge keeps the dog engaged without frustrating
```

**→** Short, successful sessions. Dog wants more.

**If err:** Dog disengages (sniff, look away, lie down) → session too long/hard or rewards weak. End, reassess.

### Step 4: Distraction-Proof

Reliable quiet env → add distractions systematically.

```text
Distraction Ladder (work through sequentially):
1. Quiet room, no distractions (starting point)
2. Room with a family member present
3. Backyard or garden
4. Front yard with street noise
5. Quiet park or trail
6. Busy park with other dogs at a distance
7. Busy park with other dogs nearby
8. Novel environments (pet store, cafe patio)

At each new level:
- Expect performance to decrease — this is normal
- Increase reward rate back to every correct rep
- Do not add more distraction until the current level is reliable
- If the dog fails 3 reps in a row, you moved up too fast — go back one level
```

**→** Cmds reliable in progressively more distracting envs.

**If err:** Specific distraction (other dogs, squirrels) consistently breaks training → needs separate counter-conditioning (see `behavioral-modification`).

## Check

- [ ] Marker charged, dog responds reliably
- [ ] All 5 cmds work in low-distraction env
- [ ] Sessions 5-10 min, end on success
- [ ] Success rate ≥80% per cmd
- [ ] Cmds generalizing via distraction ladder
- [ ] Handler timing (marker within 1s) consistent

## Traps

- **Repeat cue**: "sit, sit, SIT" → teaches first "sit" optional. Say once, wait
- **Treat late**: Treat follows marker within 2-3s. Late → breaks assoc
- **Lure forever**: Hand motion w/ treat fades in 10-20 reps. Else dog only responds when food visible
- **Punish failed recall**: Call "come" then scold → poisons recall cue permanently
- **Train too long**: Fatigued dog learns nothing. Quit ahead
- **Inconsistent cues**: All household uses same words + gestures

## →

- `behavioral-modification` — unwanted behaviors that interfere w/ basic obedience