Are you a new dog owner or considering getting a furry companion? Basic dog commands and training techniques are essential for a happy and well-behaved pup. Not only can training improve your dog’s behavior, but it also helps strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend.
The Ultimate Dog Training Commands List
From basic commands like “sit” and “stay” to more complex skills like agility training and scent work, there are countless techniques and strategies to choose from. But where do you start? And how do you know which methods are right for your dog? Here are the ultimate dog training commands list:
- Puppy sits training
- Sit and stay dog training
- Dog recall training (come)
- Dog command down
- Heel dog command
- Leave it command
- Dog command Off
Find out more dog expert advices.
1. From Wiggles to Stillness: Puppy Sits Training
- Start in a quiet area with few distractions.
- Have some small, soft treats or pieces of kibble ready to reward your dog.
- Hold a treat or piece of food above your dog’s nose to get their attention.
- Slowly move the treat up and back, encouraging your dog to follow it with their nose and lower their bottom to the ground.
- As soon as your dog sits, reward them with the treat and plenty of verbal praise.
- Repeat this exercise several times until your dog understands the command.
- Gradually phase out the use of treats, and replace with verbal praise and physical affection.
- Start asking your dog to sit without using a treat or piece of food as a lure.
- Always reward your dog when they sit, no matter how long it takes or if they get distracted.
- Avoid punishing your dog if they do not sit right away, as this can make the puppy sit training less effective and cause your dog to avoid sitting in the future.
2. Stay Put! The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Your Dog to Master the Stay Command
- Start with your dog in a sitting position.
- Have some small, soft treats or pieces of kibble ready to reward your dog.
- Place your open hand in front of your dog’s face and say “stay” in a calm and firm voice.
- Take a step back from your dog, then immediately step back to them and reward them with a treat and verbal praise.
- Gradually increase the distance and duration of the stay, while always returning to your dog and rewarding them for staying in place.
- If your dog gets up from the stay position, simply guide them back into the stay position and try again.
- Practice sit and stay dog training several times, gradually increasing the distance and duration of the stay.
- As your dog becomes more comfortable with the stay command, start practicing in different locations and with more distractions.
- Always reward your dog for staying in place, and be patient and consistent with your training.
3. Here Boy! Dog Recall Training (Come)
- Start in a quiet, enclosed area with few distractions, such as a fenced backyard or indoor room.
- Have some small, soft treats or pieces of kibble ready to reward your dog.
- Call your dog by name and use a recall command such as “come” or “here”.
- Make sure to use a happy, upbeat tone of voice to encourage your dog to come to you.
- If necessary, use a treat or toy as a lure to get your dog to come to you.
- When your dog comes to you, reward them with a treat and plenty of verbal praise.
- Practice this exercise several times, gradually increasing the distance between you and your dog.
- Once your dog has mastered coming to you in a quiet area, start practicing in more distracting environments, such as the park or a busy street.
- Always reward your dog when they come to you, no matter how long it takes or if they get distracted.
- Avoid punishing your dog if they do not come to you right away, as this can make the dog recall training less effective and cause your dog to avoid coming to you in the future.
4. How to Teach a Dog to Lie Down (Dog Command Down)?
- Start in a quiet area with few distractions.
- Have some small, soft treats or pieces of kibble ready to reward your dog.
- Ask your dog to sit by saying “sit” while holding a treat or piece of food above their nose.
- Move your hand down towards the ground while saying “down” in a calm and firm voice.
- Encourage your dog to follow the treat with their nose, until their elbows and chest touch the ground.
- As soon as your dog lies down, reward them with the treat and plenty of verbal praise.
- Repeat dog command down several times until your dog understands the command.
- Gradually phase out the use of treats, and replace with verbal praise and physical affection.
5. How to Teach Your Dog to Heel like a Pro (Heel Dog Command)
- Start with your dog on a leash and in a quiet area with few distractions.
- Choose a side for your dog to walk on (usually the left side), and stand with your dog on that side.
- Hold the leash loosely in your hand, and start walking forward with your dog.
- Use a cue word such as “heel” to let your dog know that it’s time to start walking at your side.
- Reward your dog for staying at your side with treats or verbal praise.
- If your dog starts to pull or stray from your side, stop walking and wait for your dog to return to your side.
- As your dog becomes more comfortable walking at your side, gradually increase the distance and duration of the heel dog command.
- Practice walking in different locations and with more distractions.
- If your dog starts to pull or stray from your side, stop walking and wait for your dog to return to your side.
- Always reward your dog for staying at your side, and be patient and consistent with your training.
6. Drop It Like It’s Hot: Teaching Your Dog the Leave It Command
- Start with a few small treats in your hand and show them to your dog.
- Close your hand around the treats and let your dog sniff and paw at your hand.
- Say “leave it” in a calm and firm voice and wait for your dog to stop trying to get the treats.
- As soon as your dog stops trying to get the treats, reward them with a treat from your other hand.
- Practice leave it command several times, gradually increasing the time and distance between your dog and the treats.
- Once your dog is comfortable with leaving treats, try using other objects such as toys or food on the ground.
- When your dog approaches the object, say “leave it” in a calm and firm voice.
- As soon as your dog stops trying to get the object, reward them with a treat from your other hand.
- Practice this exercise several times, gradually increasing the difficulty and distractions.
- Always reward your dog for leaving the object, and be patient and consistent with your training.
7. Get Down and Stay Down: How to Teach Your Dog the Command OFF for Good Behavior
- Start by teaching your dog the “sit” command.
- With your dog in the sitting position, show them a treat or toy.
- Hold the treat or toy in your hand and tell your dog to “off” in a firm and clear voice.
- Wait for your dog to stop trying to get the treat or toy and reward them with a different treat or toy from your other hand.
- Repeat this exercise several times until your dog understands the “off” command.
- As your dog becomes more comfortable with the “off” command, gradually increase the difficulty by using more tempting treats or toys.
- Once your dog understands the “off” command with treats or toys, you can start using it in other situations, such as when your dog jumps on people or tries to grab things off counters.
- Always reward your dog when they respond correctly to the “off” command, and be patient and consistent with your training.
FAQ About Basic Dog Commands and Training
🐶 What are the most important dog commands to teach?
The most important commands to teach a dog are “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel,” and “down.” These commands help keep your dog safe, improve their behavior, and strengthen your bond with them.
🐶 When is the best time to start training my dog?
The best time to start training your dog is as soon as possible, ideally when they are still a puppy. This is because puppies are more open to learning and can develop good habits early on.
🐶 How long does it take to train a dog?
The length of time it takes to train a dog depends on the dog’s breed, age, temperament, and the owner’s commitment to training. Training can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
🐶 What is positive reinforcement training?
Positive reinforcement training is a method of training that involves rewarding your dog for good behavior with treats, praise, and other positive stimuli. This method is more effective than punishment-based training and helps build a stronger bond between you and your dog.
🐶 Can I train my dog on my own or do I need a professional trainer?
It is possible to train your dog on your own using online resources, books, and videos. However, some dogs may benefit from working with a professional trainer, especially if they have behavioral issues or specific training needs.
🐶 What should I do if my dog doesn't respond to training?
If your dog doesn’t respond to training, it’s important to reassess your approach and make adjustments. You may need to try different training methods or seek the help of a professional trainer. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are key to successful dog training.