GDA Puppy Command List and Definitions

Primary Commands (considered mandatory)

• Sit: regardless of the puppy’s position to the handler, the puppy must place it’s rump on the ground.  The puppy must remain in a sitting position with the aid of the stay command until told to do otherwise by the handler.  The ultimate goal should be for 5 minutes. The puppy may roll onto his hip, but this should not be accepted once the puppy reaches age of 5 months.
• Down: Regardless of the puppy’s position to the handler, the puppy must lie down on ground with his elbows hitting the floor. The puppy then must remain in a down position with the aid of the stay command until told to do otherwise by the handler.  The ultimate goal should be for 30 minutes.
• Stand: Regardless of the puppy’s position to the handler, the puppy must be up on all four legs in a standing position with the aid of the stay command until told to do otherwise by the handler. The ultimate goal should be for 2 minutes.  The puppy should eventually learn to remain in a stand calmly when the handler comes to a stop.
• Stay (remain in the exact place): When used this command serves to help aid the puppy in extending the time of sit, down and stand commands.
• Come: From any position relative to the handler, the puppy returns to the handler, coming to the handler’s left side and turning into the handler and ending up facing forward in a sit position on the left side of the handler. i.e., The puppy should not become engaged in any distractions when on his return to the handler.
• Get Busy: Tells the puppy to urinate and defecate on lead.  The puppy should be able to relieve himself on a variety of surfaces (grass, rocks, cement dirt, etc). The dog should be commanded to Get Busy and the handler should not allow the puppy to do it on it’s own free will when out on a walk.
• Ok: Releases the puppy from any command that had been previously given by the handler.
• Heel: The puppy moves forward with the handler in whatever direction the handler is traveling. While in motion, the puppy’s shoulder should be no further ahead of behind of the handler’s left hip joint. The puppy should at no time be pulling or dragging the handler.  When proficient the puppy should come to a standing stop at the handler’s left side when the handler stops.  It is to be understood that this is the advanced definition of the command. However, at no time during the puppy’s learning, should it be pulling on the lead or dragging the handler.
• Puppy’s name: Upon hearing his name (not nicknames) the puppy should give attention to the handler and the handler should use the name to deliver the command to the puppy.
• No/don’t: Verbal correction for stopping unwanted behaviors from the puppy. It is best used when coupled with a physical correction such as a leash correction form the handler.  It should be used for such behaviors as excessive smelling, jumping up, excitable greetings, growling, barking, etc.

Additional commands (extra, not mandatory)

• Wait: This tells the puppy not to cross a specific threshold. However, it is not the same as the stay command in that the puppy does not have to remain in one specific position but rather may move about as long as he does not cross the designated threshold. Would be used for doorways, crate doors, car doors, grooming or vet tables or whenever an obvious threshold is present.
• Drop: Tells the puppy to release anything that is currently in his mouth at the time the command is given.  The puppy should be expected to release the item into the handler’s hand or onto the ground.
• Jump: Tell the dog to jump onto an elevated surface with all four paws. Would be used for such surfaces as a bench, grooming table, climbing into a tub or a vehicle.

Training Levels