Useful Commands your Dog must Learn
Teaching basic commands to your pet can be a game changer to both of you, as it can make daily tasks more easier to handle. The exercises works best when training is short, consistent, and rewarding. Most dogs learn faster through positive reinforcement—rewarding the behaviors you want with treats, praise, or play.
Here are some foundational commands to start with:
1. Sit
Hold a treat close to your dog's nose.
Slowly move the treat upward and slightly back over their head.
As their head follows the treat, they'll naturally lower their rear.
As soon as they sit, say "Sit," give the treat, and praise them.
Repeat for 5–10 minutes.
2. Stay
Ask your dog to sit.
Hold your hand out like a stop sign and say "Stay."
Take one small step back.
If they stay in place for a few seconds, return, reward, and praise.
Gradually increase the distance and duration.
3. Come
Start in a quiet, enclosed area.
Crouch down and cheerfully say your dog's name followed by "Come!"
Reward them immediately when they reach you.
Never punish your dog after they come to you, even if they were misbehaving beforehand.
4. Down
With your dog sitting, hold a treat at their nose.
Move the treat slowly down to the floor and slightly away from them.
When they lie down, say "Down," then reward and praise.
5. Leave It
Hold a treat in your closed hand.
Let your dog sniff it, but don't open your hand.
When they stop trying to get it—even for a moment—say "Leave it," then reward them with a different treat from your other hand.
Tips for success
- Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes) and end on a positive note.
- Train once or twice a day rather than in one long session.
- Use the same word and hand signal every time.
- Reward immediately after the correct behavior.
- Gradually practice in places with more distractions.
- Be patient—every dog learns at a different pace.
Once your dog reliably responds to these, you can move on to tricks and more advanced training.
References:
DAVID CODR, "How to Train a Puppy: Free Tips for Teaching Basic Commands", May 13, 2026, https://www.doggoneproblems.com/miles/
PAISLEY LUNCHICK, "Teach Your Puppy These 5 Basic Cues", January 09, 2026, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teach-your-puppy-these-5-basic-commands/
GABRIEL RIESCO, "How To Teach Your Dog a Command", September 20, 2021, https://pawmos.com/how-to-teach-your-dog-any-command/
STEPHANIE GIBEAULT, "‘Leave It’ Command: Training Your Dog to Ignore Food and Other Items", January 15, 2026, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/learning-the-leave-it-command/
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