Basic dog commands help you communicate clearly during everyday situations. Coming when called, leaving an object alone and waiting briefly can make life together easier.
Training begins by showing your dog what works, rewarding successful attempts and practising in manageable situations. You do not need a commanding voice or long sessions.
This guide introduces useful skills and explains where to begin. The linked tutorials provide more detailed practice plans for individual behaviours.
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Commands, Cues and Clear Communication
Although people commonly say “commands,” trainers also use the word “cues.” A cue is a signal that tells your dog which behaviour can earn a reward.
The signal might be a spoken word, hand movement or another consistent prompt.
Choose signals your household can use consistently. For example, use “down” for lying down and “off” for stepping off furniture, rather than expecting one word to mean both.
If you are new to training, our dog training at home guide explains how to organise your first sessions.
Which Basic Skills Should You Teach?
There is no compulsory order or universal list every dog must master. Start with skills relevant to your daily routine.
| Skill | What it means | Everyday use |
|---|---|---|
| Name response | Turn attention toward you | Begin an interaction |
| Sit | Place the rear on the ground | Offer a comfortable stationary position |
| Down | Lie down | Rest in a chosen location |
| Stay | Remain in position until released | Wait briefly while you move |
| Come | Return to you | Reconnect during safe practice |
| Leave it | Disengage from something | Move past an object |
| Drop it | Release something from the mouth | Exchange a toy |
| Loose-leash walking | Move with slack in the leash | Walk together comfortably |
These skills support everyday management. A trained response should never be the only protection against traffic, unsafe objects or other hazards.
Before You Start
Choose a quiet area with secure footing and few distractions. Have suitable rewards ready, and account for food rewards within your dog’s daily intake.
Use a brief marker, such as “yes,” to identify a successful response, then deliver the reward. Our marker and clicker training guide explains how to introduce this.
Keep initial practice easy. Finish before either of you becomes frustrated, and allow your dog to leave.
If sitting, lying down or moving seems uncomfortable, stop that exercise and seek veterinary advice.
1. Teach Your Dog to Respond to Their Name
A name response means turning attention toward you. It does not have to include sustained eye contact.
- Begin nearby in a quiet room.
- Say your dog’s name once.
- When they turn toward you, mark and reward.
- Pause before trying again.
If your dog does not respond, wait for an easier moment rather than repeating the name continuously.
Avoid regularly pairing their name with scolding. Aim to make responding worthwhile.
For more practice, follow our dog focus training guide.
2. Teach Sit
There are two straightforward starting approaches: reward a sit your dog offers naturally, or use a small food lure.
For the lure approach:
- Hold a small reward close to your dog’s nose.
- Move it slowly upward and slightly back.
- If their rear lowers to the ground, mark and reward.
- Let them move before another attempt.
Keep the lure low enough to discourage jumping. Never push your dog’s rear down.
Once the movement is predictable, introduce “sit” just before your hand signal. Gradually practise with an empty hand and deliver the reward afterwards.
Our guide to fading food lures explains this transition.
3. Teach Down
Practise on a comfortable, nonslip surface.
From a comfortable sit, slowly guide a food lure toward the ground between your dog’s front paws, then slightly forward. Mark and reward when they lie down.
If your dog stands or struggles to follow, reset without forcing the position. You can also reward a naturally offered down and gradually associate it with your cue.
Avoid pressing on the shoulders or pulling the front legs forward.
A down cue describes a position. It does not automatically mean your dog is relaxed.
4. Introduce Stay and a Release Cue
Begin with your dog in a comfortable position while you remain close.
Reward a very brief pause in that position, then use a release word such as “free” and invite movement. Gradually introduce “stay” before the pause.
Build duration before adding much distance. Change one element at a time.
If your dog moves early, make the next attempt easier. Avoid repeatedly repositioning them while continuing to demand a longer stay.
Follow our step-by-step stay training guide for progression.
Want structured exercises to practise together? View Brain Training for Dogs as one option for guided home learning. Affiliate link.
5. Begin Recall Training
Recall means returning when called.
Start indoors or in a securely enclosed space, with your dog only a short distance away.
Say your recall cue when your dog is likely to approach. Moving a little away from them can encourage participation. Reward generously when they reach you.
Sometimes release your dog back to an enjoyable activity afterwards. Coming to you should not always end the fun.
Never punish your dog after they return, even if it took longer than expected.
Our dog recall training guide explains how to progress. For suitable outdoor practice, learn about using a long line safely.
6. Introduce Leave It
“Leave it” asks your dog to disengage from something they have not taken.
Start with a safe, low-value item you can prevent them from reaching. Reward from your other hand when your dog looks away or turns toward you.
Keep the exercise easy. Do not repeatedly tempt your dog with something irresistible and then correct them for approaching.
Introduce the cue once you can predict the disengagement.
Use our leave-it training guide for the full process. Keep dangerous objects out of reach throughout training.
7. Teach Drop It Through Exchanges
“Drop it” means releasing something already in the mouth.
Practise with a safe toy your dog enjoys but does not guard. Offer a worthwhile exchange, reward the release and, when appropriate, return the toy.
Add your verbal cue when the exchange is predictable.
Avoid chasing your dog or prising their mouth open as a training method. If they freeze, growl or guard objects, stop practising exchanges and seek qualified help.
See our drop-it training guide for detailed steps.
8. Reward Loose-Leash Walking
Loose-leash walking is an ongoing skill rather than a single position.
Begin in a quiet area. Reward your dog near you while the leash is slack, then take a few steps and reward again.
Gradually practise in more interesting locations. Include appropriate opportunities to sniff and explore.
If pulling increases, reassess the environment and difficulty instead of jerking the leash.
Our loose-leash walking guide covers the progression.
Help Skills Work Beyond the Living Room
Success in one room does not guarantee the same response elsewhere.
Practise familiar skills in another quiet location before adding major distractions. Reduce distance or duration when the surroundings become harder.
For example, a brief stay in the garden may require more support than a longer stay in the kitchen.
Use our training around distractions guide to build difficulty gradually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I teach first?
Name response and an easy reward-based interaction are useful starting points. Add skills that address your routine rather than following a rigid ranking.
How long does basic obedience take?
Progress varies with the dog, skill and practice conditions. Learning a cue at home and responding around distractions are separate stages.
What if my dog responds only when food is visible?
Fade the lure gradually while continuing to reward successful responses. Hiding all rewards abruptly does not teach this transition.
Should I repeat a command until my dog responds?
Avoid doing so. If the first cue does not work, consider whether the behaviour is understood, the setting is too difficult or your dog is uncomfortable.
Build Skills Through Small Successes
Choose one manageable goal, practise in an easy setting and reward clearly. Expand to everyday situations gradually.
Reliable communication grows through repeated successful experiences and thoughtful management.
For an optional guided resource, explore Brain Training for Dogs. Review its approach and choose exercises suitable for your dog. Affiliate link.
Further Reading
- Blue Cross: Dog and puppy training
- Dogs Trust: Teaching your dog to sit
- Dogs Trust: Positive reinforcement training
- Blue Cross: Dog recall training
This article provides general educational information and does not replace individual veterinary or qualified behaviour advice.