Every dog, no matter their breed, size, or age, benefits from learning basic obedience commands. These five commands form the backbone of good behavior and keep your dog safe in everyday situations. You don't need fancy equipment or years of experience to teach them — just patience, consistency, and a pocket full of treats.
If you're dealing with a brand new puppy, you might also want to check out our complete puppy training guide for age-specific advice. For now, let's break down each command with clear steps you can start today.
1. Sit
Sit is usually the first command dogs learn, and for good reason. It's simple, it gives your dog a default behavior to offer instead of jumping or begging, and it builds a foundation for harder commands down the road.
Hold a treat close to your dog's nose. Slowly move your hand upward and slightly back over their head. As their nose follows the treat, their rear end will naturally lower to the ground. The moment their bottom touches the floor, say "Sit," give the treat, and praise them.
Keep sessions short — three to five minutes at a time. Repeat this several times a day. Within a week or two, most dogs will sit on the verbal cue alone. Once that happens, start phasing out the treat lure and reward with praise or a quick ear scratch instead.
A common mistake is pushing your dog's rear down. That confuses them and can create anxiety around training. Let them figure out the motion on their own. The treat guides them, and the reward teaches them.
2. Stay
Stay builds patience and impulse control. It's also one of the most practical commands — you'll use it at doorways, during meals, at the vet, and whenever you need your dog to hold still for a moment.
Start by asking your dog to sit. Hold your palm out toward their face and say "Stay." Wait one second. If they hold position, mark it with a "Yes!" or a click, then treat. Gradually increase the duration — two seconds, five seconds, ten seconds — before adding distance.
The key is building up in tiny increments. If your dog breaks the stay, don't scold them. Just reset and try a shorter interval. You want them to succeed most of the time, not fail repeatedly.
Once your dog can stay for 30 seconds at close range, start taking one step back, then two, then walking across the room. The American Kennel Club recommends practicing in low-distraction environments first before moving to busier settings like the yard or a park.
3. Come
The come command can save your dog's life. If they slip out the front door, get off leash at the park, or head toward a busy street, a reliable recall is your safety net. This one deserves extra attention.
Start indoors or in a fenced area. Get down to your dog's level, show them a high-value treat, and say "Come!" in an upbeat, excited voice. When they reach you, reward generously — multiple treats, lots of praise, maybe even a quick game. You want your dog to think coming to you is the best thing that could happen.
Never call your dog to come and then do something they won't enjoy, like a bath or nail trim. If you need to do those things, go get your dog instead. The word "Come" should always mean something good is about to happen.
Practice recall in different rooms of the house, then in the yard, then in safe outdoor areas with a long training lead. If you're struggling with recall, our article on common dog behavior problems covers leash pulling and other related issues.
4. Down
Down is a calming command. When your dog lies down on cue, they're in a relaxed, submissive posture. It's great for settling your dog in cafés, during dinner, or when guests arrive at your home.
With your dog in a sit position, hold a treat at their nose and slowly lower it straight down to the floor between their front paws. As their head follows the treat, their body will fold into a down position. The moment their elbows touch the ground, say "Down" and give the treat.
If your dog stands up instead of lying down, try luring the treat slightly toward you along the floor. That forward motion encourages them to stretch out and drop into the position. Some dogs take a few days to get comfortable with this one — don't rush it.
Avoid using "Down" to mean both "lie down" and "get off the furniture." Pick one meaning and stick with it. Consistency prevents confusion. If you need a word for getting off things, use "Off" instead.
5. Leave It
Leave it teaches your dog to ignore something they want — dropped food, another dog's toy, or something gross on the sidewalk. This command prevents resource guarding behavior and keeps your dog from eating dangerous items.
Place a treat in your closed fist and hold it out to your dog. They'll sniff, lick, and paw at your hand. The moment they pull back or stop trying, say "Yes!" and give them a treat from your other hand — not the one they were trying to get. You're rewarding the act of leaving the first item alone.
Once your dog reliably ignores your closed fist, try the same exercise with the treat on the floor under your palm. Then with it on the floor uncovered while you're ready to cover it if they lunge. Each step builds on the last.
The ASPCA notes that leave it is one of the most important safety commands you can teach, and they recommend practicing it with increasingly tempting items over time. A piece of kibble is easy to leave alone — a dropped chicken bone at a barbecue is much harder. Build up gradually.
General Training Tips
Keep training sessions short and positive. Five to ten minutes, two or three times a day, beats one long session that leaves you and your dog frustrated. Always end on a good note — if your dog nails a command, reward them and wrap it up.
Use high-value treats for training. Dry kibble works for easy commands at home, but when you're in a distracting environment, you need something better — small pieces of chicken, cheese, or commercial training treats. The reward has to be worth the effort of paying attention.
Be consistent with your cues. Use the same word, the same tone, and the same hand signal every time. If one family member says "Come" and another says "Come here, boy," your dog has to learn two different commands. Get everyone on the same page.
And finally, be patient. Dogs don't learn overnight, and they definitely don't learn from punishment. Positive reinforcement — rewarding the behaviors you want — is faster, kinder, and creates a dog that actually wants to work with you. If your dog isn't getting it, take a break and try again later.
Ready to start training? Grab some treats, pick one command, and spend five minutes with your dog right now. You'll be surprised how fast they catch on. And if you run into trouble along the way, check out our guide on fixing common behavior problems for solutions to the issues most owners face.
