5 Best Commands to Teach Your Dog

by Charlie the Lab September 25, 2024

When you bring a new dog home, teaching them basic commands is often one of the first things on your mind. Training is crucial for all dogs, no matter their age, breed, and temperament. Even just knowing a few simple cues can help you and your dog form a stronger connection. So, what are some commands you should teach your dog?

Why is it Important to Train Your Dog?

There are so many good reasons to train your dog, such as:

Helping you get your dog’s attention and control them when needed
Forming a stronger bond between you and your dog
Providing mental stimulation
Helping you and your dog understand each other
Improving your dog’s confidence
Keeping your dog and those around them safe
Improving socialisation
Making it easier for professionals to work with your dog (vets, groomers, etc.)

So, even if you adopt an adult dog that already knows most commands, it’s still a good idea to work on some training with them. Conducting regular training sessions can help reinforce what your dog has learned and keep them entertained and connected to you.

What are the Basic Commands to Teach Your Dog?

Training sessions don’t have to be exactly the same for every dog. If you work with a professional trainer, they might suggest different commands based on your dog’s needs. Yet, if you’re just getting started with dog training, the following five commands are usually a good starting point.

Not all dogs learn the same. Below are some suggestions for how to teach these cues to dogs, but it’s okay to take a different approach if your dog isn’t getting it. When in doubt, turn to a professional trainer for assistance.

1. Sit

“Sit” is typically the first command dogs learn because it’s easy and can be used to lead into other commands. When you need your dog to focus on you, asking them to sit is a great way to get started.

Here are some steps for teaching a dog to sit:

Hold a treat above your dog’s nose while they’re standing.
Slowly move the treat above your dog’s head so they have to look up to smell it.
Your dog’s butt should naturally hit the floor while you do this.
As soon as your dog sits, give them the treat.
Practice this a few more times and add the cue “sit” just before your dog sits.
Say a release word (“okay”) to let them know they can stop sitting.

2. Stay

“Stay” is an essential command because it can help keep your dog safe. It can stop them from running into a busy road or approaching an unfriendly dog. Practice this command regularly in the comfort of your home before trying it out in public.

Here are some steps for teaching your dog to stay:

First, make sure your dog knows “sit” or “lie down.” Ask them to do one of those commands.
Wait a second and reward your dog with a treat.
Say your release word and encourage your dog to move from that spot.
Repeat the process, but slowly increase the distance and time.
As soon as they sit or lie down each time, say “stay.”
Regularly practice this command in the comfort of your home with varying lengths of time before the release word. Then, you can try practicing in public settings.

3. Come

Having a good recall is another way to keep your dog safe. Once they’ve learned to come when called, you can tell them to come to keep them away from dangerous situations, such as busy streets and unfamiliar people or animals.

Here are some steps for teaching your dog to come:

Have a treat or toy that your dog loves and show it to them.
Back away from them a few steps and say “come.”
When your dog comes to you, reward them with the toy or treat.
It’s a good idea to practice gently holding their collar when they come since you may have to do that in an emergency.
Repeat these steps and slowly increase the distance between you and your dog.
Once they get the hang of it in a comfortable setting, try practicing in public places using long leashes.

4. Down

It may be cute when your dog jumps up on you, but not everyone wants that. Plus, encouraging your dog to jump up could encourage other bad habits, such as reaching stuff on the counter. So, it’s best to stay ahead of potential issues by teaching your dog “down.”

Here are some steps for teaching your dog to stay down:

Always have training treats handy around your dog.
When you see your dog jump up on someone or something, say “down” or “off” and show them a treat.
Reward your dog when they get down.
Repeat this process until your dog gets down without needing to see a treat.

5. Leave It

When dogs find something they like, they’re quick to gobble it up. This could include dangerous objects outside. Teaching your dog “leave it” can help you get them to spit out items that could be toxic if they ingest it.

Here are some steps for teaching your dog to leave it:

Show your dog a tasty treat.
Close your hand around the treat and let your dog sniff and paw at your hand.
Wait until your dog stops trying to reach the treat. Once they back away from the treat, reward them by giving them a treat from your other hand.
Repeat this process and start to add the “leave it” command.
Eventually, you can practice with a treat that isn’t covered.

What are the Benefits of Teaching Your Dog Commands?

Many people falsely assume training is only for getting your dog to behave better. Yet, as mentioned above, there are lots of great reasons for teaching your dog commands. Below are a few of the main benefits.

1. Better Communication

Dogs and humans don’t speak the same language. However, through dog training, the two species can understand each other better. Your dog can more easily learn your expectations and you can find the best ways to get your dog to understand commands. The more you train, the more you and your dog will understand each other.

2. Improved Behaviour

Of course, the obvious training benefit is improved behaviours. Most dog parents train with the plan to fix certain behaviours, such as jumping up on things, chewing on objects that aren’t toys, and having accidents. Working on all types of training with your dog can help you resolve behaviour issues. Not only will it fix certain issues that you focus on, but the improved communication can make it easier to tackle new issues that arise too.

3. Enhanced Bonding

Training should be a fun and positive experience for dogs. It’s a way for them to engage in some exciting mental stimulation with you. So, if you keep the experience positive, it can help you and your dog form a stronger bond.

4. Safety and Control

A well-trained dog is usually safer. Knowing basic commands like “come,” “stay,” and “leave it” can keep your dog out of trouble and prevent them from getting hurt. Even simple commands like “sit” can get your dog’s attention and keep them out of trouble. Having control of your dog can prevent them from running into the street, fighting with other dogs, and eating things they shouldn’t.

How to Teach Your Dog Commands

Every dog learns differently. Some pick up on new commands right away while other dogs may need special methods to help them understand. Keep the following in mind while training, but the exact steps for learning a new command may vary for each dog.

1. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement training is the most effective training type. It involves focusing on rewarding your dog for good behaviours rather than punishing them for bad ones. While punishments may temporarily get dogs to listen out of fear, it can hurt their bond with you and make it harder to introduce new commands.

When you’re mad at your dog, they may not understand what you’re upset about, but when you praise them, they learn to associate certain behaviours with something good. So, always focus on the good with dog training.

2. Be Consistent

Dogs learn best with consistency. With each command, use the same word and hand gesture to help them understand quicker. Make sure everyone in your household is on the same page with the expectations for your dog. Otherwise, if one person teaches your dog one thing while another teaches them something completely different, your dog will get confused.

3. Start with Short Training Sessions

It’s best to end each training session before your dog loses interest. Practice one command for a few minutes at a time and then take a break. It’s better to have several short training sessions throughout the day rather than one long one. That way, your dog remains excited and engaged the entire session.

4. Use Treats as Rewards

Tasty, low-calorie treats are the best rewards. They’re appealing to most dogs without causing weight gain. Make sure your dog likes the treats you use so they feel motivated to learn new commands.

While toys can work for some training sessions, they’re not ideal. You can quickly give a dog treats, but toys typically require longer play sessions. So, only reward dogs with toys if the training session is over. Otherwise, stick with treats to keep them focused.

5. Be Patient and Persistent

Dog training takes time. Some dogs might learn quickly, but most need patience and consistency. Don’t expect your dog to master a command after only a few sessions. Take each command slowly and keep practicing it even after they know it. Over time, your dog will be so comfortable with each command that they’ll happily listen to you without treats.

What are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Training Your Dog?

While the above aspects can set your dog up for success, the following could do more harm than good. If you’re making any of the following dog training mistakes, it’s best to reassess your training approach.

1. Inconsistency

Constantly changing your training methods can confuse your dog and make it harder for them to learn. For example, if you let your dog on the couch sometimes but scold them other times, they won’t understand the expectations. Or if one person says a different word for a command than you, it could take longer for your dog to learn what to do. So, keep your cues and expectations as consistent as possible.

2. Using Punishment

While scolding your dog might temporarily get your dog to stop doing something, it can have harmful long-term effects. It teaches them what you don’t like rather than what you want them to do. It scares them into listening instead of strengthening their bond with you. For example, if you punish your dog for barking at other dogs, it might teach them that being around other dogs is scary rather than telling them they should be calm around other dogs.

3. Skipping Basic Commands

Some people falsely assume that basic commands for dogs are just silly tricks. However, skipping commands like “sit” and “stay” could make it harder for dogs to learn more complex commands. The basics are a great starting point for helping you get your dog’s attention and teaching them to listen to you. They can help you get your dog to focus so you can lead into other commands.

4. Not Understanding Your Dog's Body Language

Understanding dog body language is a key part of being a dog parent. When training, make sure your dog isn’t showing signs of stress. If they have stiff posture, tail between their legs, fur standing on end, excessive lip licking, or similar behaviours, they’re likely feeling uncomfortable. It’s hard for a dog to learn when they’re nervous, so make sure you’re keeping sessions short and training in a quiet, familiar setting at first.

How to Troubleshoot Training Issues with Your Dog

Some dogs may struggle to get the hang of basic commands no matter what you do. If that’s the case with your furry friend, try one or more of the following to fix the issue.

1. Identify the Cause of the Issue

If your dog is struggling with a command, try to determine why. In most cases, they’re probably not understanding what you’re trying to say. If that’s the case, break it down into smaller steps if possible or try a different approach. In some cases, the issue could be that your dog is stressed. Make sure you’re training in a comfortable environment to help fix that concern.

2. Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, it can be difficult to understand your dog’s reluctance to train on your own. If that’s the case for you, work with a professional trainer. They can spend one-on-one time with your dog to come up with personalised training tips to help you and your furry friend find training success.

3. Be Patient and Persistent

No matter what steps you take to teach new commands, make sure you remain patient and consistent. If your dog doesn’t get it, don’t give up. Keep repeating what you’ve practiced in short sessions, and eventually, your dog should get the hang of it. Some dogs take longer to learn new things than others, and that’s perfectly fine.