Master These 10 Basic Dog Commands for a Better-Behaved Dog

Ever feel like your dog speaks a totally different language? They kind of do! Training helps us build a bridge between our human world and their amazing dog world. It's how you truly connect with your furry best friend. It also helps them understand how to be safe and happy in our busy world.

Think of basic commands as the most important words in this shared language. Mastering just 10 basic dog commands gives you both a way to understand each other when it really counts. These aren't just tricks; they're like essential communication tools.

Ready to start building that bridge? This guide will show you the 10 commands every dog should know and why learning them is the key to a safer, happier adventure together.

Our first basic command is "Sit." You might think this one is super simple, and it is to learn the basics, but it's actually incredibly useful. It's like the starting point for so much else you'll teach your dog.

Why is teaching your dog to sit so important? For one, it helps them learn to be calm. Asking for a sit can help manage excitement when guests arrive or when you're getting ready to go for a walk. It's a polite way for your dog to greet people or wait for their turn.

It's also the basic position for learning other commands down the road, like "Stay" or "Down." You really build upon the sit command.

So, how do you teach your dog to sit? One simple way is using what's called luring. Grab a tasty treat your dog loves. Hold the treat near your dog's nose, like you've got a little magnet.

Slowly move the treat up and back over their head, towards their tail. Your dog's nose will naturally follow the treat. As their nose goes up, their rear end usually goes down! The second their bottom hits the floor, clearly say "Sit!" Give them the treat immediately and tell them how good they are. This is positive reinforcement – rewarding the behavior you want so they do it again.

Command number two is "Stay." This command is a big deal, and it's super important for keeping your dog safe. It teaches them to hold their position even when you move away or exciting things are happening.

Why is "Stay" so vital? Imagine you open your front door, and you don't want your dog to dart outside. Or you drop something in the kitchen you don't want them to eat. "Stay" gives you control in those moments.

It also helps your dog learn impulse control. That means they learn to stop and think, rather than just running after the first squirrel or exciting thing they see. It builds patience.

So, how do you teach your dog to "Stay"? It usually starts after they know how to "Sit." Have your dog sit first. Then, stand directly in front of them. Say the word "Stay" clearly and firmly. Lots of people also use a hand signal, like holding out their palm like a stop sign.

Now, the trick is to start tiny. Take just one small step backward. If your dog stays sitting, quickly step back to them. Say "Yes!" or "Good Stay!" and give them a treat right there. The reward comes to them while they are still staying.

If they move, don't get mad. Just calmly help them go back to their sitting spot and try that small step again.

Once they can handle one step away, try two. Then three. This is how you build distance. After they can stay a few steps away, start adding a little bit of time before you return to reward them. One second, then two, then three. This is building duration.

Go slow! Always return to your dog to give the treat in the beginning. Asking them to come to you while they are in a "Stay" comes much, much later. The goal is for them to understand "Stay" means "don't move from this spot."

Command number three is "Come," often called "Recall." Listen up, this one is critically important . I mean, seriously, it could save your dog's life.

What does it mean? It means when you call your dog and say "Come!" or "Here!", they zoom back to you right away, no matter what else is going on.

Why is it so vital? Think about scary situations. What if your dog's leash breaks? What if they accidentally slip out the front door? What if you're at a park, and they start heading towards a busy road or sniff something dangerous? A reliable "Come" command is their ticket back to safety. It gives you peace of mind when you're off-leash in a safe area.

Teaching a solid "Come" is all about making it the most exciting, rewarding thing that could ever happen to your dog. Forget the boring stuff! You need high-value rewards. We're talking tiny pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or hot dogs – the really good stuff!

Start practicing in a small, safe place with no distractions, like your living room or a fenced yard. Get down low. Use a super happy, excited voice. Say your dog's name, then "Come!" or "Here!" Open your arms wide.

As they run to you, cheer them on! Make happy noises! When they get to you, throw a little party! Give them that amazing treat right away, along with tons of happy praise and pets.

Here is the most important rule for "Come": NEVER, ever punish your dog when they come to you. Even if it took them a while to listen, or they were doing something naughty before you called. Coming back to you must always be a fantastic experience for them. If they think coming to you means getting in trouble, they won't want to come next time.

Command number four is "Down." This is where you ask your dog to lie all the way down on the floor. It's a step up from "Sit" and gives you even more ways to communicate with your dog.

Why is "Down" a good command to teach? It's fantastic for helping your dog really settle down and relax. If you're trying to have a quiet moment, working at your desk, or visiting someone else's home, asking your dog to "Down" can help them chill out and stay out of the way.

It's also a handy command in situations where you need your dog to stay put and be calm for a longer time, like waiting in a busy place or during vet visits.

How do you teach your dog to "Down"? A simple way is by using luring, just like we talked about for "Sit." Start with your dog sitting in front of you. Hold a treat at their nose.

Now, slowly move that treat straight down towards the floor between your dog's front paws. Then, slide the treat a little bit forward along the floor, away from them.

Your dog should follow the treat with their nose and naturally lower their body into a lying position. The moment their elbows and belly touch the floor, say "Down!" clearly.

Give them the treat and plenty of happy praise right away. That reward tells them they did exactly what you wanted!

You can also lure from a standing position using a similar motion with the treat.

Just be patient with this command. Some dogs find it a little harder or less comfortable than sitting, especially on hard floors. Make sure you're practicing on a comfy spot!

Command number five is "Leave It." If "Come" is about safety by getting your dog to you, "Leave It" is about safety by telling them to ignore something potentially dangerous or inappropriate. This command is incredibly important for protecting your dog.

You know how dogs explore everything with their noses and mouths? They might find something interesting on the ground outside – garbage, old food, or even things that could make them really sick or hurt them. Inside the house, it stops them from chewing on your shoes or grabbing something they shouldn't have.

Teaching "Leave It" helps prevent your dog from eating dangerous things. It also builds that important impulse control – the ability to stop themselves from grabbing something tempting right away.

How do you teach "Leave It"? It's kind of like showing your dog that ignoring one thing gets them something much, much better from you.

A simple way to start is with two different kinds of treats. Have a less exciting treat (like a piece of kibble) and a super exciting treat (like tiny pieces of cheese or chicken). Close your hand around the less exciting treat.

Present your closed fist to your dog. They will probably sniff, lick, or paw at your hand. Just keep your hand closed! Don't let them get the treat inside.

Wait patiently until they give up and pull their nose away from your hand, or look away. The exact moment they stop trying to get the treat in your fist, say "Yes!" and immediately give them the super exciting treat from your other open hand. Keep the first treat hidden.

Practice this over and over. Your dog learns that leaving the thing in your hand alone is how they get the better reward. Once they understand this, start saying "Leave It" right as they back away from your hand, before you say "Yes!" and give the reward.

As they get better, you can place a boring item on the floor and cover it with your hand, then your foot, then eventually leave it uncovered as you add distance.

Learning "Leave It" can literally save your dog from eating something poisonous or dangerous.

This command teaches your dog to open their mouth and let go of whatever they are holding when you ask them to. It's different from "Leave It," which means don't touch it at all. "Drop It" is for things they already have.

This command is incredibly useful! Think about it: your dog might pick up your shoe, your glasses, a remote control, or something potentially dangerous they found outside, like a chicken bone. Instead of chasing them around or trying to pry their mouth open (which can make them hold on even tighter!), "Drop It" gives you a calm, safe way to get the item back.

It helps protect your belongings from getting chewed up. It can also gently help with something called resource guarding. That's when a dog gets protective over toys, food, or other items. By teaching them that giving things up leads to good things from you, they learn there's no need to guard.

The best way to teach "Drop It" is through trading. You teach your dog that letting go of one item means they get something even better!

Start with a toy or item your dog likes, but isn't totally obsessed with. Have a really good treat ready – something high-value like tiny bits of chicken or cheese.

When your dog has the toy in their mouth, hold the tasty treat near their nose. Say the words "Drop It!" in a friendly voice.

Most dogs will open their mouth to sniff or try to take the treat. The exact second they let the toy fall from their mouth, say "Yes!" or "Good Drop!" and give them the treat immediately.

Here's a key step, especially when they are learning: Right after you give the treat, pick up the toy and give it back to them! This teaches them that "Drop It" doesn't mean "you lose your fun toy forever." It means "let go for a second and get something even better, then maybe you get the toy back too!"

Practice this often with different safe items. Start with easier things and slowly work your way up to items they find more interesting. Always trade for something equal or better in value in the beginning.

Trading makes "Drop It" a positive game for your dog, not a fight!

Command number seven is often called "Heel." For everyday life, it usually just means teaching your dog to "walk nicely on a leash." This is a really important skill for having enjoyable walks together, instead of feeling like you're being pulled down the street!

You know how frustrating it can be when your dog is constantly pulling? A dog that pulls hard makes walks stressful, tiring, and sometimes even painful for you. It's also harder to keep them under control when you're in public around other people, dogs, or traffic.

Teaching your dog to walk calmly beside you makes walks a happy time for both of you. It gives you much better control in different situations and helps keep them safe right next to you.

How do you teach your dog to walk nicely? The main idea is to teach your dog that the best place to be, where all the good things happen, is right next to your side!

Start practicing in a quiet spot with few distractions, like inside your house or in your backyard. Put your dog on their leash. Have some really tasty treats ready in your hand, held down by your side where you want your dog to walk (usually your left side).

Take one step forward. If your dog stays right beside your leg and the leash is loose, immediately say "Yes!" and give them a treat at your side. Take another step, reward if they stay close.

If your dog pulls ahead or wanders away and makes the leash tight, stop moving! Become like a tree. Don't take another step forward until the leash becomes loose again. They might come back to see why you stopped.

The moment the leash is loose again and they are near your side, start walking forward and reward them right away. Never walk forward with a tight leash!

Once they start staying beside you consistently in quiet places, you can start saying the word "Heel" or "Let's walk" as you take that first step and they are in the right spot.

Remember, this takes lots of practice, especially as you start walking in places with more distractions. Be patient and keep those good treats handy!

Command number eight is "Off." This is a handy command that tells your dog to get down from something they are on. This could mean getting off the sofa, off a chair, off a visitor, or even getting their paws off the kitchen counter!

Why is teaching "Off" important? It's really key for setting clear rules, or boundaries, in your home. If you prefer your dog not to be on certain furniture, or if they tend to jump up on people, "Off" is the command that tells them where you do want them to be – usually, all four paws on the floor.

It helps keep your house cleaner, protects furniture, and makes sure guests feel comfortable.

How do you teach "Off"? It's mostly about gently redirecting your dog's attention and rewarding them when they have all four paws on the ground.

When your dog is on something you want them to get off of, stand right next to the object. Use a tasty treat or a favorite toy as a lure. Move the treat or toy away from the object and towards the floor.

As your dog follows the lure and steps off the item, say "Off!" clearly. The exact moment all four paws are on the floor, say "Yes!" or "Good Off!" and give them the treat or toy on the floor.

Try not to just push or pull your dog off! You want them to choose to get off because they learn that getting off leads to good things from you.

As they get better, you can start saying "Off!" just as they are thinking about getting onto something, and reward them for choosing to stay off.

Keep their paws on the floor!

If your dog is jumping on a person, the person should calmly turn away or step sideways. You step in, lure the dog's front paws down to the floor, say "Off!", and reward the dog when they are standing with all paws on the floor.

s your dog always right under your feet, especially when you're busy? Command number nine is here to help! It's called "Place," or sometimes you'll hear it called "Bed." This teaches your dog to go to a certain spot that you pick out – maybe their cozy bed or a special mat on the floor – and stay there patiently. You get to decide where their "Place" is, and you tell them when they are finished and can leave.

Why is teaching "Place" or "Bed" helpful? It's amazing for managing your dog's behavior, especially during busy times in your home. If you're eating dinner, working, or have guests over, you can send your dog to their "Place" so they aren't underfoot or getting overly excited.

It also helps create a predictable, comfortable spot just for them. Their bed or mat becomes their safe zone, a place they know they can go to relax and settle down. It actively encourages calmness in a designated spot.

How do you teach "Place" or "Bed"? The main idea is to make that specific spot the most rewarding place for your dog to be!

Start simple. Have your dog nearby their bed or mat. Simply toss a few tasty treats directly onto the bed. When your dog steps onto the bed to eat the treats, say "Yes!" or "Good Place!"

Give them more treats while they are standing or sniffing around on the bed. You are rewarding the simple act of being on the correct surface.

The more you reward your dog while they are on the mat or bed, the more they will start thinking, "Hey, hanging out here is awesome!"

Once they are happy just being on the bed, start rewarding them for lying down on it. Toss treats to them while they are relaxed in a sit or down on the bed.

When your dog is consistently going onto the bed and getting comfortable, you can add the word "Place!" or "Bed!" right as they are stepping onto it or as you lure them onto it with a treat.

Like with the "Stay" command, you'll gradually increase how long they stay there (duration) and how far you can walk away (distance) while they remain on their spot. Always give the treats while they are on the place.

Their bed becomes their happy place! When you are ready for them to leave their "Place," use a clear release word like "Okay!" or "Free!" This tells them they are done and can get off the bed.

Our tenth and final basic command is "Look," or sometimes called "Watch Me." This command teaches your dog to make eye contact with you whenever you say the words.

Why is this simple command so important? It's your fastest way to get your dog's attention back on you!

Imagine you're outside, and your dog is suddenly focused on another dog, a person walking by, a squirrel, or anything else distracting. Saying "Look" or "Watch Me" tells them to quickly snap their focus back to your face.

This is a crucial skill for keeping connected with your dog, especially in places with lots going on. It helps them learn to focus on you even when there are tempting sights and sounds around them. Building this focus is truly a building block for every other command. After all, your dog needs to be paying attention to you before they can possibly listen to what you're asking them to do!

Teaching "Look" or "Watch Me" is actually pretty straightforward. You simply reward your dog every time they look at your face.

Start in a quiet room with no distractions. Have some tasty treats ready. You can hold a treat right next to your eye, or near your nose or cheek. This helps get them looking up at your face initially. The exact moment your dog's eyes meet yours, even if it's just for a second, say "Yes!" or "Good Look!"

Give them the treat right away.

Practice this a few times. Once they reliably look up at your face when you bring the treat there, add the command word. Say "Look!" or "Watch Me!" just before you bring the treat to your face and they look up. Reward that eye contact!

Slowly start asking them to hold eye contact for a little bit longer before they get the treat. Then, gradually practice in places that have a few more distractions.

Make looking at you the most rewarding thing ever!

This command helps you stay connected with your dog, pulling their attention back to you no matter what's happening around you.

Alright, we've covered a lot of ground! We've gone through 10 really important basic commands: Sit, Stay, Come (Recall), Down, Leave It, Drop It, Heel (or walk nicely), Off, Place/Bed, and Look/Watch Me. Think of each one as a valuable tool to help you communicate better with your dog in different everyday situations.

Learning these commands isn't just about having a dog that "obeys." It's about building trust, understanding, and a stronger bond between you and your furry friend. A dog who understands what you're asking is a safer dog because you can better guide them and help them avoid danger.

Also remember, helping your dog burn off energy with regular exercise is just as important as training for good behavior and focus. A tired dog is often a good dog! Find solutions for keeping your dog active with Fitdogo treadmill.

So, what's your next step? Don't feel like you need to teach all 10 commands tomorrow! Pick one or two commands from this list that seem most helpful for you and your dog right now.

Practice for just a few fun minutes each day. Consistency is super important when practicing these basic dog commands . Short, positive training sessions are often the most effective!

Be patient with your dog, and definitely be patient with yourself. Learning takes time, but it's worth it. Celebrate all the little successes along the way!

If you have questions about starting out, or want to share which command you're working on first, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy training!