Basic Dog Training for Beginners: 5 Commands

1 5 Basic Commands for Your Dog

Let’s share how to train your new partner to follow your cues.

Sit, stay, down, come, and heel (walk without bolting) — these five basics matter.

I. Sit

‘Sit’ is simple but very useful.

Single ‘sit’, ‘sit down’, or English ‘Sit’ — any cue works, but pick one and reuse it, don’t change.

To teach sit, say the cue while luring it down. Hold a treat above the nose, move it to the head; when the butt drops, praise.

Another way: gently hold the neck scruff and place the butt in a sit — not forcefully. Praise and reward when it holds.

Repeat, give the cue, wait for the sit, reward correct response. Once habitual, use ‘sit’ to stop mischief. Scolding isn’t good; instead say ‘sit’ when it jumps, and it stops.

Even after habit, don’t spare praise — positive reward keeps good habits.

II. Stay

After ‘sit’, train stay.

First, have the pup sit or lie; step away one step, return, reward; repeat.

As it improves, lengthen stay time and distance in small steps.

If it does well, return to reward.

If it stands to come to you or leaves, just replace it and continue.

Dogs feel tense when owners leave; they want to follow.

If the owner returns mainly to correct, they learn to do right.

So reward often; finally it will gladly stay.

Note: when rewarding, go to it and give praise/treat, don’t call it to you.

III. Heel

Heeling is a good habit — they won’t wander.

Start with just 2-3 steps, eye contact, reward every few steps.

Over weeks, increase distance — e.g., reward every 100 m.

Your dog finds walking at your pace rewarding.

If it ignores your pace and pulls ahead, regain attention and reward.

Until it always follows.

IV. Down

A simple lure to teach down:

1. Cue sit, hold the neck scruff so it can’t move forward.

2. Put food at the nose, slowly move to the toes; move slowly so it follows.

3. To reach the food, it must lower.

4. Once down, reward promptly.

5. Most important: don’t force it down by hand.

V. Come

All owners want the dog to come instantly when called.

But repeating ‘come’ alone won’t teach it.

Have the pup stay, hold the leash end, bend and step back, call its name and ‘come’ upbeat.

Don’t yank it with the leash. If it won’t come, step closer and retry.

Of course, reward if it responds!

If it bolts to you eagerly, use a longer leash.

If distracted and runs the other way, hold the leash to block and keep encouraging.

Remember, louder and sterner doesn’t help. Repetition and generous rewards are key.