Commands · Updated June 2026
The basic dog
training commands.
Seven commands cover almost everything you need for a safe, polite dog: sit, down, stay, come, heel, leave it and place. Here is what each one is for, the order to teach them in, and the exact reward-based steps to train each.
Quick answer
The seven basic dog training commands every dog should know are sit, down (lie down), stay, come (recall), heel (walking by your side), leave it, and place (go to a bed or mat). Teach them in roughly that order, starting with sit because it is the easiest win and the foundation for the rest. Use positive reinforcement: lure or capture the behavior, mark the exact moment it happens with a clicker or a clear 'yes', and reward within two seconds. Practice in very short sessions, add the word only once the dog reliably offers the behavior, then proof each command against the three Ds, distance, duration and distraction. Come and leave it are the two that can save a dog's life, so reward them the most generously and never punish a dog for coming back to you.
01 · The commands
Seven commands, and
how to teach each.
For every command: lure or capture the behavior, mark the instant it happens, reward fast, and only add the word once the dog offers the action reliably. Keep sessions to a few minutes and end on a win.
01
Sit
Hold a treat at the dog's nose and lift it slowly back over their head, as the nose follows up, the rear drops. The instant they sit, mark and reward. After a few reps, add the word 'sit' just before they do it. Sit is the easy first win and the building block for stay and polite greetings.
02
Down
From a sit, lower a treat straight to the floor between the dog's paws, then slide it slightly away so they follow it into a lie-down. Mark and reward the moment elbows touch the floor. Add 'down' once the movement is reliable. Down is a calm, settled position the dog can hold.
03
Stay
Ask for a sit, say 'stay' with a flat palm, wait one second, then mark and reward before the dog moves. Build duration first (one second, three, ten), then distance, then distraction, one at a time. Always return to the dog to reward, so staying put is what pays.
04
Come (recall)
In a quiet space, say the dog's name and 'come' in a happy voice, then reward lavishly when they reach you, jackpot it. Never call the dog to something they dislike, and never tell them off for coming, both poison the cue. Recall is the command most likely to save a dog's life, so keep it the best-paid thing they do.
05
Heel (walking by your side)
Reward the dog for being at your leg, mark and feed at the seam of your trousers as you take a step, then two, then more. Add 'heel' or 'with me' once they hold position. This is loose-leash walking turned into a cue, useful for crossing roads and passing distractions.
06
Leave it
Place a treat under your hand, let the dog sniff and give up, then mark and reward from the other hand, never the one they were trying to get. Progress to treats on the floor, then dropped food, then objects on walks. Leave it protects a dog from eating something dangerous.
07
Place (go to a mat)
Reward any interaction with a mat or bed, then reward stepping on, then settling, and add the word 'place'. A dog with a solid place cue can be sent to a calm spot when guests arrive, during meals, or when the doorbell rings, it is the off switch for a busy household.
Most-searched questions
The questions people
actually ask.
What is the first command to teach a dog?
Sit. It is the easiest behavior to lure, gives both you and the dog an early win, and forms the basis for stay, polite greetings and impulse control. Once sit is solid, move on to down, then come and the rest.
What order should I teach dog commands in?
A sensible order is sit, down, stay, come, heel, leave it, then place. Start with the easy wins to build the dog's confidence and your timing, and bring in the safety commands, come and leave it, early because they matter most. There is room to flex, but sit first and place last works well.
Should I use hand signals or words?
Both, and dogs often read hand signals more easily than words. Teach the action with a lure or signal first, add the spoken word once the behavior is reliable, and you will end up with a dog that responds to either. Hand signals are especially useful at a distance or in noise.
How long does it take to teach a dog basic commands?
A keen dog can learn the shape of a new command in a single short session, but reliability takes longer. Expect a few days of practice per command to get a dependable response at home, and a few weeks to proof it against distance, duration and distraction in the real world.
What is the best age to start teaching commands?
You can start the moment a puppy comes home, around eight weeks, with very short, fun sessions. There is no upper limit either, adult and senior dogs learn the same commands the same way, they just need more repetitions to overwrite old habits.
How many commands can a dog learn?
Far more than seven. The average dog can learn dozens of cues, and some working breeds learn well over a hundred. The seven basics simply cover safety and good manners, once they are solid, tricks and extra cues are mostly just more of the same method.
Our method & sources
Every TailorPup plan and guide uses reward-based training (positive reinforcement), the approach the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends for all dog training. Read the full science and source list on our training method page.
TailorPup is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or certified by the AVSAB. References are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or a qualified trainer.
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