10 Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know

A well-trained dog isn’t about fancy tricks. It’s about everyday manners that keep your dog safe and make life easier for everyone in the house. The best part? Training is a great way to bond.

Keep sessions short (five to ten minutes), use tasty treats and lots of praise, and end on a win. Here are 10 commands every dog should know.

1. Sit

Sit is the foundation for almost everything else. Hold a treat near your dog’s nose, slowly move it up and back over their head, and their bottom will naturally go down. Say “sit,” reward and repeat.

2. Come

A reliable recall could save your dog’s life. Practice in a quiet space first, and make coming to you the best thing ever with high-value treats. Never call your dog to you to scold them.

3. Stay

Stay teaches patience. Start with your dog in a sit, say “stay,” take one step back, then return and reward. Slowly build up distance and time.

4. Down

Down helps your dog settle and relax. From a sit, lower a treat to the floor between their front paws and slide it slowly forward until they lie down.

5. Leave It

Leave it keeps your dog from grabbing dropped pills, chicken bones or anything else they shouldn’t have. Start with a treat in a closed hand and reward when they stop trying to get it.

6. Drop It

Drop it gets things out of your dog’s mouth. Trade the toy for a treat, and give the toy back sometimes so your dog learns that letting go doesn’t mean losing the fun.

7. Wait

Wait is a short pause, perfect for doorways, car doors and mealtimes. It’s different from stay because your dog knows a release is coming soon.

8. Off

Off means four paws on the floor. Use it for jumping on guests or counter surfing, and reward your dog the moment all four paws hit the ground.

9. Loose-Leash Walking

Walks are more fun when no one is getting pulled. Stop moving whenever the leash gets tight, and reward your dog for walking near your side.

10. Place

Place sends your dog to a bed or mat to relax. It’s a lifesaver when the doorbell rings or you’re cooking dinner.

Patience wins

Every dog learns at their own pace. Stay consistent, keep it positive and have everyone in the family use the same words. If you hit a wall, a positive-reinforcement trainer can help.

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Featured image: Police Week 2025- 378th ESFS Military Working Dogs (9032336) by U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)