The 4 Basic Dog Training Commands and How to Teach Them to Your Dog

A well trained dog is a joy and the confidence it bestows on yourself and your pet is empowering. A few weeks of consistent playful training will last a lifetime.

So let’s explore the 4 basic commands…

🪑 SIT: The Gateway to Obedience

Purpose: Sit is often the first command taught. It helps calm your dog and is a great starting point for impulse control.

Why It Matters

• Establishes calm behaviour and impulse control.
• Acts as a polite default behaviour (e.g., before meals, greetings, crossing roads).
• Builds a foundation for more advanced commands.

🪑 1. Sit

How to Teach:

• Step 1: Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
• Step 2: Slowly move the treat upward, causing their head to follow and their bottom to lower.
• Step 3: As soon as they sit, say “Sit” and give the treat.
• Step 4: Repeat several times in short sessions.

Tips:

• Use a cheerful tone.
• Practice before meals when your dog is food-motivated.
• Avoid pushing their rear down—let them figure it out

Advanced Teaching Tips

• Add duration: Once your dog sits reliably, delay the reward by a few seconds to build patience.
• Add distractions: Practice in different environments—garden, park, near other dogs.
• Use it as a reset: If your dog is overstimulated, asking for a Sit can help them refocus.

Troubleshooting

• Dog won’t sit? Try luring with a treat closer to their chest, not above their head.
• Dog pops up quickly? Reward only after a few seconds of holding the position.

🛏️ LIE DOWN: Encouraging Calm and Control

Purpose: Sit is often the first command taught. It helps calm your dog and is a great starting point for impulse control.

 Why It Matters

Purpose: This command encourages relaxation and is useful in situations where you want your dog to settle.

• Promotes relaxation and submission.
• Useful in public settings (cafés, vet clinics, waiting rooms).
• Precursor to “settle” or “place” commands.

🛏️ 2. Lie Down

How to Teach:

• Step 1: Start with your dog in a sitting position.
• Step 2: Hold a treat near their nose, then slowly move it down to the floor and outwards.
• Step 3: As they follow the treat, their body should lower into a lying position.
• Step 4: Say “Down” and reward immediately.

Tips:

• Be patient—some dogs take longer to feel comfortable lying down.
• Practice on soft surfaces to encourage compliance.
• Avoid saying “Down” if you use that word for getting off furniture—use “Lie Down” instead.

Advanced Teaching Tips

• Add a release cue: “Free” or “Okay” lets your dog know when they can get up.
• Use shaping: If your dog struggles, reward incremental progress—head down, elbows bent, etc.
• Practice “Down from a distance”: Build toward giving the command from across the room or field.

Troubleshooting

• Dog resists lying down? Try practicing on a soft surface or after exercise when they’re more relaxed.
• Dog lies down but pops up? Reward only after a longer hold, and use a calm voice to reinforce the behaviour.

🐾 RECALL (“Come”): The Lifesaver Command

Purpose: Recall is critical for safety, especially off-leash. It teaches your dog to return to you promptly.

Why It Matters

• Critical for safety—especially off-leash or in emergencies.
• Builds trust and strengthens your bond.
• Allows freedom without sacrificing control.

How to Teach:

• Step 1: Start indoors or in a secure area.
• Step 2: Say your dog’s name followed by “Come” in an upbeat tone.
• Step 3: Back away as they approach, then reward with treats and praise.
• Step 4: Gradually increase distance and distractions.

Tips:

• Never punish your dog after they come—even if they were slow.
• Make coming to you the best thing ever: treats, toys, affection.
• Use a long lead for outdoor practice.

Advanced Teaching Tips

• Use high-value rewards: Cheese, chicken, or a favorite toy—make it worth their while.
• Practice “restrained recall”: Have someone hold your dog while you call them excitedly.
• Add games: Hide-and-seek or chase-and-return builds enthusiasm.

Troubleshooting

• Dog ignores recall? Never punish—recall must always be positive. Rebuild with short distances and high-value rewards.
• Dog comes slowly? Use movement—run away, clap, cheer—to make yourself more engaging.

🧍 STAY: Building Patience and Reliability

Purpose: Stay teaches your dog to remain in place until released. It’s vital for impulse control and safety.

Why It Matters

• Prevents bolting or wandering in risky situations.
• Essential for grooming, vet visits, and household management.
• Builds mental discipline and self-control.

How to Teach:

• Step 1: Ask your dog to Sit or Lie Down.
• Step 2: Say “Stay” with a hand signal (open palm).
• Step 3: Take one step back, then return and reward if they haven’t moved.
• Step 4: Gradually increase distance and duration.

Tips:

• Use a release word like “Okay” or “Free” to end the stay.
• If they break the stay, calmly reset without scolding.
• Practice in various environments to build reliability.

Advanced Teaching Tips

• Use the 3 D’s: Duration, Distance, Distraction. Increase one at a time.
• Proofing: Practice Stay while tossing toys, walking around, or having guests enter.
• Use a marker word: “Good” or “Yes” to reinforce holding the position before releasing.

Troubleshooting

• Dog breaks the stay? Don’t scold—just calmly reset. Lower the difficulty and build back up.
• Dog anticipates release? Vary the time before releasing to prevent pattern learning.

🧠 Training Progression Framework

The following are a slightly more comprehensive set of training instructions which you can review and incorporate into your training as things progress.

🛏️ LIE DOWN

How to Teach:

1. Start with your dog in a Sit.
   • This gives you a stable starting point and helps guide the movement downward.
2. Use a lure.
   • Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
   • Slowly move the treat straight down between their front paws, then slightly forward along the ground.
3. Encourage the full motion.
   • As your dog follows the treat, their elbows should bend and their chest should lower to the floor.
   • The moment they lie down, say “Lie Down” (or “Down”) and reward immediately.
4. Add the verbal cue.
   • Once your dog reliably follows the lure, say “Lie Down” before you move the treat.
   • Reward only when they respond to the cue without needing the lure.
5. Practice short durations.
   • Ask for a Lie Down, wait 2–3 seconds, then release with a cue like “Free” or “Okay.”
   • Gradually increase the time they stay down before releasing.
6. Generalize the behavior.
   • Practice in different rooms, on different surfaces, and with mild distractions.

🐾 RECALL (“COME”)

How to Teach:

1. Start in a quiet, enclosed space.
   • Indoors or a fenced garden is ideal for early practice.
2. Use a cheerful tone and body language.
   • Say your dog’s name followed by “Come!” while crouching or clapping to encourage movement.
3. Reward generously.
   • When your dog comes to you, give high-value treats, praise, or play.
   • Make it a party every time—they should love coming to you.
4. Add distance gradually.
   • Start with just a few feet, then increase the distance as your dog becomes more reliable.
5. Practice with a long line.
   • Use a 10–30 ft lead outdoors to give freedom while maintaining control.
   • Call your dog and gently reel them in if needed, then reward.
6. Proof with distractions.
   • Practice around mild distractions (toys, other dogs, smells).
   • Always reward—even if they’re slow to respond.
7. Use games to reinforce.
   • Try “ping-pong recall” with two people calling the dog back and forth.
   • Hide-and-seek builds excitement and responsiveness.

🧍 STAY

How to Teach:

1. Start with a Sit or Lie Down.
   • Choose whichever position your dog is most comfortable holding.
2. Introduce the cue.
   • Say “Stay” while showing a flat palm (visual cue).
   • Wait 1–2 seconds, then say your release word (“Okay,” “Free”) and reward.
3. Build duration slowly.
   • Increase the time your dog holds the position before releasing.
   • Always return to your dog to reward—don’t call them out of a Stay initially.
4. Add distance.
   • Take one step back, then return and reward.
   • Gradually increase the number of steps and vary your direction.
5. Add distractions.
   • Practice with toys nearby, people walking past, or mild noises.
   • If your dog breaks the Stay, calmly reset and reduce the difficulty.
6. Use real-life scenarios.
   • Ask for a Stay while you open the front door, prepare food, or greet guests.
   • This builds practical reliability.
7. Reinforce with praise.
   • Use a marker word like “Good” while they’re holding the Stay to reassure them they’re doing well.

We do hope that these notes help you and your dog.

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