15 dog commands you need to know
Teaching your dog commands isn’t just about showing off their clever tricks, it’s about building a strong bond, keeping them safe and helping them understand their place in your home. Dogs are eager learners, but they thrive when training is consistent, clear and fun.
Why teach commands?
Commands aren’t simply for obedience (or entering your dog in Crufts!), they’re practical tools for everyday life. Some benefits include:
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Safety: A reliable “come” can stop your dog running into a road.
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Good manners: A dog who knows “sit” or “wait” is far easier to manage in busy places.
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Mental stimulation: Training keeps clever canine brains occupied and helps to prevent boredom.
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Bonding: Training builds trust, communication, and teamwork between you and your dog.
General training tips
Before looking at individual commands, here are some good rules to follow:
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Use positive reinforcement - Reward your dog with treats, praise, or play when they get it right. Avoid punishment as dogs learn best when training is fun.
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Keep sessions short - Five or ten minutes is plenty, especially for puppies. Multiple short sessions each day work better than one long one.
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Be consistent - Use the same word and hand signal each time. Dogs thrive on clear, repeated cues.
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Start small - Teach in a quiet, distraction-free environment before practicing in busier places.
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Patience is key - Every dog learns at their own pace. Celebrate small wins and don’t rush them.
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Phase out treats gradually - Once your dog has mastered a command, mix in praise and play so they don’t only respond for food.
15 popular dog commands
Here are some commands that most owners find useful, with a few tips on how to teach each one.
1. Sit
This is one of the first commands most dogs learn. Useful for calming excited dogs before mealtimes, walks, or greetings.
How to teach: Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose and slowly move it upwards and back over their head. As their nose follows, their bottom will naturally go down. Once they’re sitting, say “sit,” reward, and praise.
2. Down
Encourages calmness and self-control. Great for teaching your dog to settle in busy environments.
How to teach: With your dog sitting, hold a treat near their nose, then slowly lower it to the ground between their paws. As they follow it, gently draw the treat forward so they stretch into a lying position. Say “down,” reward, and praise.
3. Stay
A lifesaver in situations where your dog needs to remain in place, such as at the door or near traffic.
How to teach: Ask your dog to sit. Hold your hand out (palm facing them) and say “stay.” Step back briefly, then return and reward. Gradually increase distance and duration, always returning to reward them.
4. Wait
Similar to “stay” but usually shorter-term. Used, for example, before crossing a road or eating.
How to teach: Ask your dog to sit, hold your hand up, and say “wait.” Release them with an upbeat word like “okay!” and then reward.
5. Come (Recall)
One of the most important commands for safety. Essential for off-lead walks.
How to teach: Start indoors. Call your dog’s name followed by “come” in a cheerful tone. Reward generously when they reach you. Gradually add distance and practice outdoors with a long lead until they’re reliable.
6. Heel
Teaches your dog to walk politely beside you without pulling on the lead.
How to teach: Start with your dog beside you. Hold a treat at your leg and say “heel” as you step forward. Reward them for staying by your side. Keep sessions short and gradually build up.
7. Leave it
Stops your dog from picking up something dangerous or unwanted.
How to teach: Hold a treat in your closed fist and say “leave it.” Wait until your dog stops trying to get it, then reward them with a different treat from your other hand. Progress to using objects on the ground and getting them to leave higher value treats.
8. Drop it
Encourages your dog to release something they’ve picked up, which can be vital for safety (or simply saving your socks!).
How to teach: Offer your dog a toy. Once they’ve got it, hold a treat near their nose and say “drop it.” When they release the toy, reward them. Practice until they respond without seeing the treat first.
9. Off
Useful for stopping dogs from jumping on people or furniture.
How to teach: When your dog jumps up, calmly say “off” and turn away. Reward them when all four paws are back on the floor. Consistency from everyone in the household is crucial.
10. No
A clear, gentle command to discourage unwanted behaviour.
How to teach: Use a firm but calm tone. When your dog stops the behaviour, reward and redirect them to something positive (e.g. a toy or chew).
11. Bed / Go to bed
Teaches your dog to settle in a designated spot, which can be helpful for mealtimes, around guests, or when you just need some calm.
How to teach: Lead your dog to their bed with a treat, say “bed,” and reward when they step onto it. Build up to asking them to lie down and stay.
12. Quiet
Useful for dogs who love to bark a little too much.
How to teach: Wait for a barking moment. Say “quiet” in a calm tone, then reward as soon as they stop, even if it’s only briefly. Gradually lengthen the time before rewarding.
13. Paw / Shake
A fun trick that also helps with handling paws for nail clipping or vet visits.
How to teach: Ask your dog to sit. Gently lift one paw, say “paw,” and reward. With repetition, they’ll start offering it themselves.
14. Spin / Twirl
A playful command that provides mental stimulation and makes training fun.
How to teach: Hold a treat near your dog’s nose and slowly move it in a circle so they follow. Say “spin” and reward once they complete the circle.
15. Fetch
A classic game that can also double as a command for exercise and mental stimulation.
How to teach: Encourage your dog to chase a toy, then use “come” and “drop it” to complete the cycle. Always reward them for returning the item.
Incorporate training into everyday life
It’s worth remembering that training doesn’t have to feel like some big, formal lesson every time. Instead, you can weave it into everyday life. For example, you can ask your dog to sit before mealtimes, practice a quick “wait” before opening a door, or throw in a few recall games during walkies. Every dog learns at their own pace, so stick with it and keep encouraging them.
Common training challenges
Even with patience, training doesn’t always go smoothly. Here’s how to tackle some common issues:
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Dog ignores your command: Check your tone… are you cheerful and clear? Are there too many distractions? Go back a step and reward generously for success.
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Only listens when you have treats: Phase out food rewards gradually, mixing in praise, toys, and affection.
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Gets bored quickly: Keep sessions varied and short. Mix training into playtime.
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Pulls on lead despite “heel”: Practise in quiet areas first. Reward for just a few steps of good behaviour and gradually increase.
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Struggles with recall outdoors: Use a long training line and only progress to off-lead once their recall is reliable.
For more information on dog training, Agria has a range of advice and guides for dog owners, such as:
FAQs about dog commands
- Written by
- Adam Jolley
- Last reviewed on
About the Author
Adam Jolley is a writer specialising in insurance, personal finance, and pets. He’s worked for Confused.com and Admiral Insurance, and currently writes and edits for an online magazine. His strangest pet was a hissing cockroach. Now, he’s a proud cat dad to Penelope, affectionately known as Nelly.
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