Updated

Dog training

Basic Dog Commands

The best commands are the ones that make everyday life calmer, safer, and easier to repeat.

Start with a few cues that solve real problems, then practice them in the rooms, sidewalks, and doorways where you need them.

Start here

Dog running back during recall trainingSafetyCome

Build a happy recall before you need it.

 Dog waiting before a food bowlImpulse controlWait

Pause before doors, bowls, cars, and gates.

 Dog ignoring food on the floor during leave it trainingDaily mannersLeave It

Turn away from food, trash, and unsafe objects.

 Dog lying calmly on a training matCalm homeGo to Mat

Give your dog a clear place during busy moments.
Starter Cues Safety Cues Home Manners Troubleshooting

Starter cues

Teach clean, short cues before adding distractions.

Dog resting calmly during a home training routine.
SitBeginner

Teach a simple position for greetings, leashing, bowls, doors, and quick resets.

 Dog settling low during a basic down cue.
DownBeginner

Teach a comfortable lie-down for calm pauses, mat work, and quiet handling.

 Dog practicing a pause before moving again.
StayIntermediate

Teach your dog to hold sit or down until you return, reward, and release.

 Dog touching a hand target
TouchBeginner

A hand target for focus, movement, recall warmups, and gentle resets.

 Dog calmly focusing on a trainer
Watch MeBeginner

Reward a brief check-in so your dog can reconnect before distractions get bigger.

Safety cues

These protect your dog around doors, food, toys, cars, and distractions.

Dog returning during a recall cue.
ComeBeginner

Build a happy recall with easy wins, great rewards, and safe long-line practice.

 Dog practicing a calm wait near a bowl.
WaitBeginner

Teach a short pause before movement, meals, doors, gates, and car exits.

 Dog practicing leave it with a clear reward.
Leave ItBeginner

Teach your dog to turn away from food, trash, wildlife, and dropped objects.

 Dog dropping a toy during training
Drop ItBeginner

Trade for something better so releasing toys and surprise objects stays cooperative.

Home manners

Use cues to make the house predictable instead of constantly correcting.

Training mat used for a calm home station.
Go to MatBeginner

Send your dog to a mat during meals, visitors, deliveries, and busy rooms.

 Dog standing on a training platform
PlaceBeginner

Use a clear station for dogs who need structure around doors, guests, or movement.

 Dog sitting quietly during quiet cue training
QuietBeginner

Reward the pause after barking so silence becomes part of the behavior.

 Dog settling calmly on a blanket
SettleBeginner

Catch and reward calm lying down so your dog learns how to switch off.

Make cues reliable

A cue is not finished until it works around normal life.

Dog adding distance around a clear platform target.
Add Distance SlowlyPractice

Step away one foot at a time. If the dog breaks, you made it too hard.

 High value dog training treats
Use Real RewardsPractice

Pay with food, play, sniffing, doors opening, or whatever the dog wanted next.

 Dog practicing one clear change in a training setup.
Change One ThingPractice

Add duration, distance, or distraction one at a time, not all together.

 Dog practicing a clear release cue.
Release ClearlyBeginner

Teach a release word so the dog knows when the job is finished.

Keep building training skills

Dog practicing a long-line recall game outside Recall Training Build a deeper come-when-called plan for long lines, distractions, and outdoor safety. Puppy learning training basics Puppy Training Turn the same cue ideas into first-week routines for a new puppy or young dog. Dog practicing leash manners Leash Manners Use rewards, distance, and check-ins to make daily walks easier to manage. Dog near a doorway during a house-training routine. Calm at Home Build mat, settle, enrichment, and management routines for quieter household days.