22 Common Dog Commands : Benefits, Steps To Train, Tips

Essential Dog Training Guidelines: Maintain Command

Mastering Dog Obedience with Expert Tips:

1. Patience and Consistency: Remember, patience is key when training your dog. Avoid rushing the process and maintain consistency in your commands and expectations.

2. Gradual Progress: Don’t overwhelm your dog with too many commands all at once. Take it slow and gradually introduce new commands as your dog becomes more comfortable and confident.

3. Optimal Environment: Choose a quiet and distraction-free location for training sessions to maximize focus and minimize interruptions.

4. Short and Simple Sessions: Keep training sessions short and straightforward to prevent boredom and frustration. Dogs have shorter attention spans, so brief, focused sessions are more effective.

5. Consistent Practice: Regular and consistent training is essential for reinforcing desired behaviors and preventing regression. Make training a part of your daily routine to ensure steady progress.

6. Positive Reinforcement: Never resort to punishment or harsh discipline during training. Instead, use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praise, and rewards to motivate and reinforce good behavior.

7. Start at Home: Begin training in familiar surroundings such as your home or backyard before venturing into more public settings. This provides a comfortable and controlled environment for learning.

8. Reward Good Behavior: Always praise and reward your dog for following commands correctly. Positive reinforcement strengthens the desired behavior and encourages repetition.

9. Clear Communication: Clearly demonstrate and communicate the desired behavior to your dog. Use consistent cues and gestures to help your dog understand what is expected of them.

10. Build on Success: Once your dog has mastered a command, build upon their success by introducing new commands or increasing the difficulty level gradually.

11. Enjoyable Training: Make training sessions enjoyable and engaging for both you and your dog. Incorporate fun activities, games, and interactive exercises to keep your dog motivated and eager to learn.

12. Active Participation: Engage actively in training exercises alongside your dog. Your involvement and encouragement create a strong bond and reinforce the training process.

By adhering to these fundamental guidelines, you can effectively train your dog, instill discipline, and address common behavioral issues. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can cultivate a well-behaved and obedient canine companion.

1. Wait

The “wait” command is crucial for controlling your dog’s movements and ensuring safety in various situations. It teaches your dog to pause and remain still until given permission to proceed. This command is particularly useful for preventing your dog from bolting out of doors, crates, or cars.

Training Method:

1. Begin by commanding your dog to “Sit” in front of a closed door.
2. With your palm facing upwards, use a hand signal and command “Wait.”
3. Slowly open the door while your dog remains in the sitting position.
4. If your dog attempts to move towards the door prematurely, gently close it to reinforce the wait command.
5. Practice this routine consistently until your dog understands to wait patiently until given the release command.
6. When you’re ready to allow your dog to proceed, use a release cue such as “Okay” or “Free” and reward your dog with praise or a treat.

Benefits:

• Prevents your dog from rushing through doors, hallways, or store entrances, reducing the risk of accidents or injury.
• Promotes impulse control and obedience, enhancing overall safety and responsiveness in various environments.

2. Come

The “come” command, also known as recall, is essential for calling your dog back to you in various situations. Whether your dog slips out of its leash or wanders in the yard, the come command ensures a prompt and reliable response.

Training Method:

1. Begin with your dog wearing a collar and leash at a moderate distance from you.
2. Use a clear verbal command, such as “Come,” while gently pulling the leash towards you.
3. Encourage your dog to approach you, rewarding compliance with praise and treats.
4. Repeat this training exercise regularly, gradually increasing the distance between you and your dog.
5. Reinforce the command with positive reinforcement, ensuring that your dog associates coming to you with positive experiences.
6. When you want to release your dog, use a release cue and offer affection to reinforce the desired behavior.

Benefits:

• Enables you to call your dog back to safety if it strays or gets into potential trouble.
• Fosters a strong bond between you and your dog, promoting trust and obedience in various environments.

3. With Me

The “with me” command is essential for teaching your dog to walk calmly on a leash without pulling. It ensures that your dog maintains a consistent pace alongside you, promoting a relaxed and enjoyable walking experience.

Training Method:

1. Begin by attaching your dog’s leash and initiating a walk.
2. Use a clear verbal command, such as “With me,” to indicate that your dog should maintain pace with you.
3. If your dog begins to pull or stray ahead, gently redirect its attention back to your side.
4. Consistently reinforce the command during walks, rewarding your dog for walking calmly beside you.
5. Practice the “with me” command in various environments and gradually increase distractions to strengthen your dog’s response.

Benefits:

• Prevents your dog from pulling on the leash, promoting a more enjoyable walking experience for both you and your dog.
• Enhances your control and communication with your dog during walks, fostering a stronger bond and mutual trust.

4. Look

The “look” or “watch me” command is crucial for maintaining your dog’s focus on you, especially in distracting environments. It teaches your dog to make eye contact with you, ensuring that it remains attentive and responsive to your commands.

Training Method:

1. Start by holding a treat in your hand and presenting it near your face to attract your dog’s attention.
2. Use a clear verbal command, such as “Look” or “Watch me,” to cue your dog to make eye contact with you.
3. When your dog makes eye contact, immediately reward it with the treat and praise.
4. Repeat this exercise regularly, gradually increasing the duration of eye contact before offering the reward.
5. Practice the “look” command in different environments and gradually introduce distractions to strengthen your dog’s focus.

Benefits:

• Ensures that your dog remains attentive to you, even in distracting or challenging situations.
• Facilitates effective communication and obedience training, as your dog learns to respond promptly to your commands.

9. “Drop It” Command

The “Drop It” command is crucial for ensuring your dog releases objects from its mouth, preventing potential hazards or damage. This command is particularly useful in situations where your dog has picked up something dangerous or valuable.

Training Method:

1. Begin by offering your dog a safe object or toy to hold in its mouth.
2. Encourage your dog to play with the object, allowing them to grasp it firmly.
3. Hold a high-value treat near your dog’s nose, enticing them to drop the object in exchange for the treat.
4. As your dog releases the object, immediately say “Drop It” in a clear and firm tone.
5. Reward your dog with the treat and offer verbal praise for obeying the command.
6. Repeat this exercise frequently, gradually increasing the difficulty by using more enticing objects or introducing distractions.
7. Practice the “Drop It” command in various environments and situations to reinforce the behavior and ensure reliability.

Benefits:

• Prevents your dog from ingesting harmful substances or objects and protects valuable possessions from being damaged.
• Establishes clear communication between you and your dog, enhancing obedience and trust.

10. “Sit” Command

The “Sit” command is one of the fundamental obedience commands that every dog should learn. It serves as the foundation for teaching other behaviors and helps manage various situations, such as greeting visitors or waiting calmly.

Training Method:

1. Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose, allowing them to sniff and become interested.
2. Slowly raise the treat above your dog’s head, guiding their nose upwards and causing their bottom to lower into a sitting position naturally.
3. As your dog’s bottom touches the ground, immediately say “Sit” in a clear and firm tone.
4. Reward your dog with the treat and offer verbal praise for obeying the command.
5. Repeat this exercise frequently, gradually phasing out the use of treats and relying on verbal cues and gestures.
6. Practice the “Sit” command in various environments and situations to reinforce the behavior and ensure reliability.

Benefits:

• Helps manage and prevent unwanted behaviors, such as jumping or lunging.
• Provides a foundation for teaching other obedience commands and behaviors.

11. “Lie Down” Command

The “Lie Down” command is a valuable tool for managing various behaviors and promoting relaxation in your dog. It serves as a foundation for teaching other commands and behaviors, making it an essential part of obedience training.

Training Method:

1. Begin with your dog in a sitting position and hold a treat in your hand.
2. Lower the treat to the ground in front of your dog, encouraging them to follow it with their nose.
3. As your dog begins to lower its body toward the ground, say “Lie Down” in a clear and firm tone.
4. Once your dog is in the lying position, reward them with the treat and offer verbal praise for obeying the command.
5. Repeat this exercise frequently, gradually phasing out the use of treats and relying on verbal cues and gestures.
6. Practice the “Lie Down” command in various environments and situations to reinforce the behavior and ensure reliability.

Benefits:

• Helps manage and prevent unwanted behaviors, such as jumping or counter-surfing.
• Promotes relaxation and calmness in excited or anxious dogs.
• Serves as a foundation for teaching other obedience commands and behaviors.

12. “Down” Command

The “Down” command instructs your dog to assume a passive position, providing valuable control in various situations. It is considered a more advanced command but is essential for obedience training.

Training Method:

1. Start with your dog in a sitting or standing position and hold a treat in your hand.
2. Lower the treat to the ground, guiding your dog’s nose along with it.
3. As your dog follows the treat and begins to lower its body toward the ground, say “Down” in a clear and firm tone.
4. Once your dog is lying down, reward them with the treat and offer verbal praise for obeying the command.
5. Repeat this exercise frequently, gradually phasing out the use of treats and relying on verbal cues and gestures.
6. Practice the “Down” command in various environments and situations to reinforce the behavior and ensure reliability.

Benefits:

• Provides valuable control over your dog’s movements, promoting obedience and safety.
• Helps manage behaviors such as jumping, bolting, or approaching strangers.
• Enhances communication and strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

13. “Stay” Command

The “Stay” command teaches your dog to remain in one place until released, promoting self-control and obedience. It’s an essential command for managing your dog’s behavior in various situations.

Training Method:

1. Begin with your dog in a sitting or standing position.
2. Hold a treat in your hand and give the command “Stay” in a clear and firm tone.
3. Take a few steps away from your dog while maintaining eye contact.
4. If your dog remains in place, return to them and reward them with the treat and verbal praise.
5. If your dog breaks the stay, use a gentle “No” and return them to the starting position.
6. Repeat this exercise, gradually increasing the distance and duration of the stay, and practice in different environments to reinforce the behavior.

Benefits:

• Promotes self-control and obedience in your dog.
• Helps manage your dog’s behavior in various situations, such as crossing the street or greeting guests.
• Strengthens the bond between you and your dog through consistent training and communication.

14. “Heel” Command

The “Heel” command teaches your dog to walk calmly and closely beside you, enhancing control and obedience during walks. It’s particularly useful for managing your dog’s behavior in public settings or when passing distractions.

Training Method:

1. Start with your dog on a leash, holding it in your right hand.
2. Position your dog on your left side and hold a treat in your left hand.
3. Give the command “Heel” in an upbeat tone of voice and begin walking.
4. Keep the treat close to your side, encouraging your dog to walk beside you.
5. If your dog begins to pull or stray, use gentle leash corrections to guide them back into position.
6. Whenever your dog walks calmly beside you, reward them with a treat and verbal praise.
7. Practice this command during daily walks, gradually increasing the duration and reducing the need for treats as your dog becomes more proficient.

Benefits:

• Promotes loose leash walking and prevents pulling during walks.
• Enhances control and obedience, allowing you to navigate public spaces with confidence.
• Strengthens the bond between you and your dog through positive reinforcement and consistent training.

15. “Off” Command

The “Off” command teaches your dog to move away from something they are approaching or interacting with, such as furniture or people. It helps prevent unwanted behaviors and promotes obedience and safety.

Training Method:

1. Hold a treat in each closed hand, with one hand positioned near your dog’s face.
2. As your dog attempts to reach for the treat, say “Off” in a firm and clear tone.
3. If your dog backs away from the treat, immediately open your hand and offer the treat as a reward.
4. Repeat this exercise several times, gradually phasing out the use of treats and relying on verbal cues and gestures.
5. Practice the “Off” command in various situations where your dog may need to move away from something.
6. Consistently reinforce the command to ensure your dog understands and obeys it reliably.

Benefits:

• Helps prevent your dog from jumping on furniture or people.
• Promotes obedience and self-control in various situations.
• Enhances communication between you and your dog, strengthening your bond.

16. “Take It” & “Drop It” Command

The “Take It” and “Drop It” commands are essential for teaching your dog to interact with objects appropriately. They help prevent resource guarding and promote safe play and cooperation.

Training Method:

1. Offer your dog a toy or object that they enjoy playing with, such as a ball or rope.
2. Encourage your dog to take the object by saying “Take It” in an encouraging tone.
3. Once your dog has the object in their mouth, offer praise and possibly a treat as a reward.
4. After a short period of play, present your dog with a duplicate object and say “Drop It” in a firm but gentle tone.
5. Encourage your dog to release the first object by offering the duplicate one as a replacement.
6. When your dog drops the first object, immediately praise them and offer the second object as a reward.
7. Repeat this exercise frequently, gradually increasing the duration of play before requesting the “Drop It” command.
8. Practice the commands in various environments and situations to reinforce the behaviors and ensure reliability.

Benefits:

• Teaches your dog to interact with objects safely and cooperatively.
• Helps prevent resource guarding and possessive behavior.
• Promotes obedience and strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

17. “Out” Command

The “Out” command teaches your dog to release an object from their mouth, particularly when it’s something you don’t want them to hold onto. It’s useful for managing your dog’s behavior and ensuring they don’t hold onto inappropriate items.

Training Method:

1. Allow your dog to hold one of their favorite toys in their mouth.
2. Hold the toy against your body, gently pulling it towards you to encourage your dog to release it.
3. As your dog releases the toy, immediately offer it back to them and restart the game.
4. Repeat this exercise, using the command “Out” each time your dog releases the toy.
5. Gradually increase the duration of time between your dog holding the toy and releasing it upon hearing the command.
6. Practice the “Out” command regularly in different situations to reinforce the behavior and ensure your dog understands it reliably.

Benefits:

• Helps prevent your dog from holding onto inappropriate items.
• Promotes obedience and cooperation in managing your dog’s behavior.
• Strengthens the bond between you and your dog through training and positive reinforcement.

18. “Leave It” Command

The “Leave It” command teaches your dog to ignore or move away from items or situations that you don’t want them to interact with. It’s useful for preventing your dog from picking up dangerous or unwanted objects.

Training Method:

1. Hold a treat in one hand and present it to your dog, allowing them to sniff and show interest in it.
2. Say “Leave It” in a firm and clear tone as your dog shows interest in the treat.
3. Quickly cover the treat with your hand or close your fist to prevent your dog from accessing it.
4. When your dog redirects their attention away from the treat, immediately offer them a different treat from your other hand as a reward.
5. Repeat this exercise, gradually increasing the difficulty by using more enticing items or distractions.
6. Practice the “Leave It” command in various situations and environments to reinforce the behavior and ensure your dog responds reliably.

Benefits:

• Teaches your dog impulse control and obedience in ignoring unwanted items or distractions.
• Helps prevent your dog from picking up dangerous or harmful objects.
• Enhances communication between you and your dog, strengthening your bond through training and positive reinforcement.

19. “Out” Command

The “Out” command teaches your dog to release an object from their mouth. It’s useful for preventing unwanted chewing or grabbing of objects.

Training Method:

1. Begin by offering your dog with one of their favorite toys.
2. Hold onto the toy and gently tug it towards your body, encouraging your dog to release it.
3. As soon as your dog lets go of the toy, immediately offer it back to them as a reward.
4. Repeat this exercise several times, gradually introducing the verbal cue “Out” as your dog releases the toy.
5. Practice the “Out” command consistently, using it whenever your dog picks up an object you want them to release.
6. Reinforce the command with praise and rewards to ensure your dog understands and obeys it reliably.

Benefits:

• Helps prevent unwanted chewing or grabbing of objects.
• Promotes obedience and self-control in various situations.
• Enhances communication between you and your dog, strengthening your bond.

20. “Go Away It” Command

The “Go Away It” command teaches your dog to ignore or leave objects alone, which can prevent them from picking up dangerous items or engaging in undesirable behaviors.

Training Method:

1. Hold a treat in each closed hand, presenting one hand to your dog.
2. Allow your dog to sniff and investigate the hand with the treat, but do not allow them to take it.
3. When your dog loses interest in the hand with the treat, say “Go Away It” and offer them the treat from your other hand as a reward.
4. Repeat this exercise frequently, gradually phasing out the use of treats and relying solely on verbal cues and gestures.
5. Practice the “Go Away It” command in various situations where your dog may encounter tempting objects or distractions.
6. Consistently reinforce the command to ensure your dog understands and obeys it reliably.

Benefits:

• Helps prevent your dog from picking up dangerous or undesirable objects.
• Promotes obedience and self-control in various situations.
• Strengthens the bond between you and your dog through consistent training and communication.

21. “No” Command

The “No” command is essential for redirecting your dog’s behavior away from undesirable actions or objects. It helps prevent your dog from engaging in inappropriate behaviors and reinforces boundaries.

Training Method:

1. Place a treat on the ground and leash your dog, holding the leash loosely.
2. As your dog attempts to grab the treat, firmly say “No” and gently pull on the leash to redirect their attention away from the treat.
3. Immediately after redirecting their attention, reward your dog with a treat from your other hand and offer verbal praise.
4. Repeat this exercise consistently, gradually phasing out the use of treats and relying solely on the verbal cue “No” to correct your dog’s behavior.
5. Practice the “No” command in various situations where your dog may encounter tempting objects or engage in undesirable behaviors.
6. Reinforce the command with consistent training and positive reinforcement to ensure your dog understands and obeys it reliably.

Benefits:

• Helps prevent your dog from engaging in unwanted behaviors or actions.
• Reinforces boundaries and teaches your dog what is not acceptable.
• Strengthens communication between you and your dog, promoting obedience and respect.

22. “Settle Down” Command

The “Settle Down” command is useful for calming your dog and encouraging them to relax in a specific location, such as a crate or designated area. It helps promote calm behavior and prevents hyperactivity or restlessness.

Training Method:

1. Hold a clicker in one hand and a treat in the other hand.
2. Use the clicker to guide your dog to a designated location, such as a crate or blanket, a few feet away from you. Dog accessories on Amazon
   
3. As your dog settles down in the designated area, give the command “Settle Down” and offer them a treat as a reward.
4. Release your dog from the designated area with a release cue like “Okay” or “Break,” allowing them to return to you.
5. Repeat this exercise regularly, gradually increasing the duration of time your dog spends in the designated area.
6. Practice the “Settle Down” command in various situations where your dog needs to remain calm and relaxed.
7. Reinforce the command with consistent training and positive reinforcement to ensure your dog understands and obeys it reliably.

Benefits:

• Promotes calm behavior and relaxation in your dog.
• Provides a useful tool for managing hyperactivity or excitement.
• Helps establish boundaries and encourages your dog to settle in a specific location.