Name Recognition Comes First
Before any command, a dog needs to reliably look at you when its name is called — say the name, reward eye contact, and repeat until it becomes automatic.
Sit, Stay, Down, Come
These four commands form the backbone of obedience and, once solid, make nearly every other skill — leash manners, tricks, advanced training — considerably easier to build on top of.
Positive Reinforcement as the Default
Rewarding desired behavior, rather than punishing mistakes, builds a dog that works with its owner out of trust rather than fear — and tends to produce faster, more durable learning besides.
Puppies have a critical socialization window, roughly between three and fourteen weeks of age, when new experiences shape lifelong temperament most strongly.