Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Effective ways to teach your dog these five basic commands

By

Ears up, bright eyes, wagging tail … it’s clear your dog loves hanging out with you. In fact, scientists have discovered that just the scent of their favorite human triggers the reward center in the doggy brain.

Contents

Human relationship with canines dates back more than 30,000 years ago to the ice age when ancient hunter gatherers tamed wolves. Today, dogs think of us as family and are eager to please. Teaching them manners is a great way to strengthen that bond as well as keep them safe and happy.

Recommended Videos

In that spirit, here’s how to teach your dog these five basic commands.

Come

One of the first commands you’ll want to teach your dog is to come when you ask him to. More than just a convenience, obedience to this command could be life saving, especially when he’s faced with a potentially dangerous situation.

Here’s how:

  • Begin inside by standing a few feet away from your dog.
  • Get his attention by saying his name and then the word “come” or “come here.”
  • As you give the command, clap your hands or slap your thigh to create excitement and encouragement.
  • Reward your dog with a treat and/or praise when he responds.
  • Repeat the process from different rooms, adding distractions as he progresses.
  • Move outside once your dog is responding well inside. Continue adding distractions, rewarding him appropriately as he complies.

white dog on leash sitting in grass

Sit

Teaching your dog to sit on command is a great way to prevent them from jumping up on people or dashing out the door when you open it for the delivery man.

Try this:

  • Put a small treat in your hand and close your fist. Hold it close to your dog’s nose so he can smell it.
  • Say the word “sit” firmly.
  • Move your hand slowly from his nose to his forehead, which will likely cause him to drop his haunches as his gaze follows your hand.
  • Reward him with the treat in your hand and lots of praise.

Repeat these steps several times until your dog understands the connection between your request and his reward. Over time, you’ll be able to remove the reward although they will always appreciate praise.

Lie down

This command is a useful way to teach your dog it’s time to settle down and relax in his surroundings. The first step is to make sure your dog knows how to sit. Once he has mastered that, he’s ready to learn how to lie down at your request:

  • Let your dog watch you put a treat in your hand and ask him to sit.
  • Move your hand close to his nose, then down to the floor, saying the word “down” as you lower your hand.
  • Make sure he is lying completely on the ground before you reward him with the treat. If he pops back up or stays in a crouching position, withhold the treat until he is relaxed and lying on the ground.

Heel

Teaching your dog to heel is nothing more than teaching him how to walk beside you. It’s a great way to establish yourself as the leader of the pack and keep your dog’s attention focused on you during your daily walks.

Begin teaching inside using these steps:

  • Start by putting your dog’s favorite toy or small treat in your hand and holding it close to your body on the side you want him to walk.
  • Call your dog’s name and say the word “heel.”
  • Hold the treat close to your body chest high so your dog walks close by your side.
  • Encourage your dog to walk a few steps with you and then stop.
  • Ask him to sit before you reward him.
  • Repeat the process, gradually increasing the distance between stops.
  • Vary your direction and pattern of walking so your dog understands he needs to pay attention.
  • Continue the training outside until he heels at your command regardless of the distraction.

woman and dog on seashore

Stay

This might be a tough concept for your high-energy dog to understand, but with practice, he’ll get the hang of it. Again, make sure your dog sits on command before beginning this training.

  • Begin inside and ask your dog to sit, standing a few feet in front of him.
  • Once he obeys, hold out your arm with the palm of your hand facing toward your dog (as if to gesture “stop”) and say “stay.”
  • Back up a few steps. If your dog continues to sit still, reward him with a small treat and lots of praise.
  • Continue the process, gradually increasing the distance between you as he obeys your request.

Happiness, love, and safety are only a few of the reasons your dog needs to learn these five basic commands. Working together, you and your furry family member can have fun with a purpose that leads to a smarter, happier pet.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Debbie Clason
Debbie Clason
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Debbie Clason's work has appeared in Family Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Lutheran Witness, Massage Magazine…
Are Himalayan dog chews safe for your pet? Know this before you buy
These dogs treats are still trendy but should probably be eaten in moderation
A close-up shot of a pug standing in the grass with a bone-shaped treat in his mouth

What do blueberries, kale, and broccoli all have in common? In addition to being delicious, all three are part of the group of so-called superfoods. Unfortunately, there's no federally regulated definition for the term, but Harvard scientists claim food that "offers high levels of desirable nutrients, is linked to the prevention of a disease, or is believed to offer several simultaneous health benefits beyond its nutritional value" can be labeled superfoods. 

Just like you might add chia seeds to your granola or spirulina powder to your smoothies for additional vitamins and minerals, you also want to make sure your dog's food and treats pack a beneficial wallop. Made famous on Shark Tank, Himalayan dog chews have become one of the most hotly debated treats in the pet food game, which begs the question, "Are Himalayan dog chews as healthy as some people think?"

Read more
What to do if your dog keeps throwing up with no sign of stopping
Here's what to try first and when to call the vet
A dog sleeping in a bed with a water bottle on his head and a thermometer in his mouth.

If you're like most pet parents, the sight of your beloved dog throwing up sends shivers of fear down your spine. Just like us, dogs occasionally eat something that disagrees with them and causes them to vomit. In most cases, your dog's vomiting will resolve on its own, but if your pup keeps throwing up, it could be cause for concern.

We'll give you the rundown on everything you need to know about why your dog keeps throwing up, from potential reasons why your pet might be vomiting to when you should take your pooch to the vet. 

Read more
Why you should let your dog sleep in your bed every single night
Sleeping with your dog in your bed can benefit you both
A woman snuggles with her dog in bed

When you think about your dog sleeping in your bed, how do you imagine it? Many pet parents can picture their beloved pet sprawled out across the entire bed while they themselves toss and turn for most of the night, but is that truly the reality of co-sleeping with a fur baby?
It can be hard to predict — every pet has their own personality and sleeping habits — but what scientists and behaviorists have found so far may surprise you. Not only do dogs provide comfort and warmth for their sleepy owners, but they tend not to disrupt sleep, either (most of the time, anyway). It may seem too good to be true, but these are the reasons why you totally should let your pet sleep in your bed every single night ... or at least try it out. Trust us, they’ll love it, too!

It can be comforting to have a dog sleeping in your bed
Just think about all the ways your pup lights up your waking hours with their goofy antics and endless love. Why not bring that sweetness into your nighttime routine, too? Spending time with your fur baby can be a comforting and rewarding way to end your evening on a happy (and adorable) note, though researchers found that people suffering from anxiety and depression may find even more benefits.
As Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, explained to CNN, "People with depression or anxiety may benefit from having their pet in the bed because the pet is a big pillow, a big blanket, and they may feel that snuggly, cuddly, furry creature decreases their anxiety.” Big fluffy blanket? Yes, please! If you've ever felt comfort from a weighted blanket, being tucked into bed, or even a simple hug, you can probably relate. Either way, there's no way to deny it -- dogs are comforting!

Read more