The First 7 Commands Your Dog Needs to Know

Published on: 4/2/2025 Tags: first dog commands, basic dog commands, essential dog cues, puppy first commands, sit stay come, positive reinforcement training, dog training basics, leave it command, dog recall, internal linking

Beyond Sit: Unveiling the Truly Essential First Dog Commands

How exciting it is to bring home a new dog or puppy! But of all the fluff and fun, it quickly raises a question: where do we even start with our workout? Dreaming of advanced tricks is great, but a foundation of basic commands is utterly essential. At the time, I was overwhelmed by all the information, and I wondered what skills my own dog needed to learn first. It’s not about teaching obedience for its own sake, or about being the “alpha.” For me, teaching these first commands, is all about being able to communicate clearly. It lays the foundation for a beautiful relationship, based on solid positive reinforcement training fundamentals.

Why Bother Teaching Commands Early On?

Having an early start on training, particularly with these basic cues can have tremendous advantages:

The point is what we teach, and how. Rewards used effectively build excitement, not anxiety, about learning.

To Start With: A Selection of My Favorite Essential Commands

How much are you able to do all in all these? These are certainly helpful tips, but I think these should be the non-negotiable minimum for every dog and lay the groundwork for everything else. Let's break them down:

Sit

Why: Allows for pleasant greetings, settles them before eating/matching light cycle while waiting for s/o, prevents jumping.

Step 1: Lure nose up & back with a treat; mark & reward bum down.

My Tip: Simplest first command for an early win!

Down (Lie Down)

Why: More calming, for longer stays, settling in public places.

Quick How-To: Starting from “Sit,” post a treat between your dog’s paws and luring his nose down and away a little. Mark & reward when flat.

This is a common one — this one takes a little more patience than “sit”, but practice makes perfect!

Stay

Why: Essential for safety (rooms, roads) and administration. Teaches impulse control.

Fast How-To: Begin brief (1-2 sec). Use hand signal. Reward before breaking. First the duration of the build, then the distance.

Note: If you want to build up excessively long distance, it’s helpful to do so after building reps, rather than before. Reward generously!

Come (Recall)

What: Probably the VERY MOST important safety command. Avoids getting lost or losing yourself in the woods.

Fast How-To: Turn it into a party! Happy tone/body language. Start quiet, short distance. Reward massively. Never punish for coming!

My Rule: Make it the best thing all day to come to me!

Leave It

Why: Vital safety cue. Prevents the grabbing of dangerous objects (dropped meals, garbage)

Quick How-To: Darken low-value item, say: “Leave It! Reinforce turning head away with a better treat from second hand. Gradually uncover.

Practice makes perfect: We practiced this constantly on city walks.

Drop It / Give

Why: Consensually lets go of things in mouth (toys, things that could do harm).

Quick How-To: Say “Drop It,” provide nice treat right to nose. Mark/reward release. Return toy every once in a while then it is not always lose!

Trade Up: Always trade up for equal or better value!

Wait

Why: Short-duration hold. Great for doorways, before meals, getting in and out of cars. Teaches impulse control.

Fast How-To: Begin at threshold. Asking for ‘Wait’ briefly gets movement halted. Release ("Okay!") & reward. Keep initial waits tiny!

Then there’s Everyday Use: We “Wait” before each meal and every walk.

The Next Step (Honorable Mentions)

Now that you have nailed the basics of these commands, you can branch out! Other very important signals are “Off” (for jumping), teaching a consistent “Place” or “Go to Mat,” stimulating “Quiet” or gaining focus with “Watch Me.” But get the core few down first – they are the foundation for nearly everything else!

The three keys to success are environment, consistency and rewards!

Also remember, just like any command, it comes down to a few fundamental principles we’ve covered before. You have to set your dog up to succeed by taking him to the right training environment — start quiet, then gradually add distractions.”

Top it off, consistency is another big word! Same cues, same expectations, practice, practice (short, fun sessions!) And lastly, learn how to use treats and rewards correctly — when the timing is right and the treat’s appropriate value, it keeps your dog motivated and tells them what you expect.

Troubleshooting Tips

Hitting a snag? It happens! If your dog doesn’t get a command, don’t repeat it endlessly. Ask yourself: Is the environment too distracting? Am I clear and consistent in my cue? - Is the incentive sufficiently motivating? Am I just wanting too much too soon (in duration/distance)? For example, decompose the behavior into smaller steps, decrease difficulty, access higher value rewards, and alter the environment. The power of patience and positivity to support you!

Final Thoughts: Foundations for a Successful Partnership

Introducing these first few important cues is so much more than just teaching tricks or obedience. It is about laying the groundwork for good communication and safety, navigating daily living as smoothly as possible, and fostering the amazing relationship between you and your pup. These cues provide the foundations of a well-behaved pet and a coexisting lifestyle. Get started today, stay positive, be patient, and celebrate each small success!