Learning the basic dog training commands is one of the best things you can do as a pet owner. It’s safer, happier, and easier to live with a dog that has been trained, and the process of training builds your bond with your dog.
Whether you have a brand-new puppy or an older rescue dog, these commands will help you build trust and keep the lines of communication open for life. Here is a list of 20 important commands, from the simplest to the most complex.
Essential Dog Basic Training Commands to Start With
These simple commands are the building blocks of everyday obedience. Learn these first, then move on to the next ones.
1. Sit: The cornerstone of all training. It gives your dog a moment to calm down and concentrate.
2. Stay: This command teaches your dog to control his urges and keeps him safe near roads or doorways.
3. Come (Recall): This could be the most important safety command. Accidents can be avoided with a reliable recall.
4. Down: Telling your dog to lie down makes him calm down and stop acting hyper.
5. Leave It: This behavior stops your dog from picking up things that aren’t wanted or are dangerous from the ground.
6. Drop It: This command tells your dog to let go of something they have in their mouth.
7. No: A strong sign that a behavior needs to end.
Simple Dog Training Commands That Make Daily Life Easier
These easy dog training simple commands will help you get through the things you do every day.
8. Heel: This keeps your dog from pulling on the leash while you walk.
9. Wait: This command stops your dog at border crossings, before meals, or before crossing the street.
10. Off: This setting stops you from jumping on people or furniture.
11. Place/Bed: This tells your dog to go to a certain spot to stop moving.
12. Quiet: Stops dogs from barking too much when prompted.
13. Watch Me: Draws your dog’s attention to your face, which helps them concentrate in noisy places.
14. Take It: This command teaches your dog to gently take something from your hand.
Advanced and Tactical Dog Training Commands
Once your dog knows the basics well, you can move on to more difficult or tactical commands. The dogs that work, serve, and protect people often use these, but pet owners can teach their dogs to use them for extra control and mental stimulation.
15. Stand: This is helpful for grooming and vet visits.
16. Back Up: This command tells your dog to move backward, which can be useful in small spaces.
17. Crawl: This is a fun trick that makes you more aware of your body.
18. Find It/Search: This will use your dog’s strong sense of smell.
19. Guard or Watch: A controlled state of alertness used in defense and tactical work.
20. Release, like “Free” or “Okay,”: This lets your dog know that the command is over and he can relax.
Tips for Successful Training
Five to ten minutes should be enough time for each session so your dog stays interested. Don’t punish your child; instead, use treats, praise, and play as positive reinforcement.
Make sure that your hand signals and words are always the same, and practice in different places so that your commands are clear everywhere, not just in the living room. Hold on tight, because each dog learns at their own speed.
Celebrate Your Well-Trained Companion
Training your dog is a journey with many proud moments and important steps that you will never forget. Once your dog knows these commands, why not do something special to remember your bond that will last?
Making a custom dog portrait painting of your loyal, well-trained dog is a lovely way to honor them. Studios like Pawstro can take your favorite picture of your dog and turn it into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind work of art that will always remember your dog’s personality.
Dog portraits are a heartfelt way to remember the friend who learned every command just to be close to you after all the time and love you put into training them. Get some treats, wait your turn, and enjoy the process. You can train your dog to be your best friend for life.
FAQs
Q1. At what age should I start training my dog?
Simple commands can be taught to babies as early as 8 weeks old. Puppies can only pay attention for short amounts of time, so keep sessions short and fun. It’s never too late to start training your dog, even if it’s getting old.
Q2. How long does it take to teach a dog new things?
It depends on the dog and the bark. It might only take a few days to learn simple commands like “sit,” but it can take weeks of consistent practice to learn more difficult commands like “recall” or “tactics.” The best results come from doing short sessions every day.
Q3. Do I need to give my dog treats to train it?
Early on, treats are a great way to get them to behave, but you should slowly stop giving them treats and replace them with praise, petting, and play. A dog that comes when you call because it trusts and respects you, not just because it wants food.
Q4. What should I do if my dog doesn’t listen?
Bring things back to basics, get rid of distractions, and make sure the rewards are fun enough. If the issues don’t go away, you might want to work with a certified professional trainer to get more specific help.
