The Ultimate Guide to Dog Obedience Training

Imagine this: you’re enjoying a peaceful walk in the park with your dog by your side, perfectly behaving despite the squirrels darting around, children running, and other dogs passing by. For many dog owners, this feels like a far-off dream, but it doesn’t have to be. With consistent obedience training, this level of calm and connection is within your reach.

Dog Obedience training is more than just teaching your dog to follow commands; it’s about building a relationship of trust, mutual respect, and effective communication. This guide will take you through the steps of training your dog, from mastering the basics to conquering advanced commands, handling real-life situations, and overcoming everyday challenges. Whether you’re starting with a puppy or trying to improve your connection with your older dog, this guide will help you achieve the results you’re looking for.

What is Dog Obedience Training?

At its heart, obedience training is about teaching your dog to respond consistently and reliably to commands. But it’s also about understanding how your dog communicates, their individual learning style, and building a partnership. It’s not just about control—it’s about giving your dog the tools to live harmoniously with you and your family.

The Key Principles of Obedience Training

1. Consistency: Dogs thrive on routine. Use the same commands and cues every time, and reinforce good behavior consistently.
2. Positive Reinforcement: Reward-based training is proven to be the most effective and humane way to train. While negative reinforcement can have a place in training, it is vital that as you are teaching your dog that will get rewarded for doing things correctly. This can be treats, praise, or play.
3. Patience: Training takes time, and every dog learns at their own pace. Expecting perfection right away sets you and your dog up for frustration.
4. Clarity: Just as we want to be consistent in the commands we use and the way we reward our dog, we want to make sure that the way we teach our dog is clear and easy to understand. Dogs don’t speak our language, but clearly creating patterns can learn allow us to associate specific words or signals with actions.
5. Timing: If your dog does something correctly, it doesn’t know you like the behavior until you “mark” it with praise, a treat, or some other reward. The more quickly you can “mark” the behavior you like, the faster your dog will learn what you want from it. The longer you wait, the less likely your dog is to associate the behavior with the reward and the less likely it will be to repeat the behavior when asked to do it in the future. 

Why is this important?

Imagine your dog accidentally gets off-leash and is now running towards a busy street. Now, think about if you called for them to “Come” to you in this situation. Would they turn and come back to you? How severe could the consequences could be if they don’t understand the command or have not been trained to respond reliably? With proper training, you’ll have the peace of mind that they’ll return immediately. 

Why is Obedience Training Important for Every Dog?

Obedience training isn’t just for misbehaving or stubborn dogs. Every dog benefits from learning the basics and beyond, regardless of breed, size, or age. Here’s why:

1. Safety

The most crucial aspect of obedience training is safety—for both your dog and the people around them. A dog who listens to commands like “Stay” and “Come” is far less likely to get into dangerous situations. Whether it’s preventing them from running into the street or stopping them from eating something harmful off the ground, obedience training can literally save your dog’s life. Want to improve your dog’s recall?

2. Better Communication

Training creates a clear line of communication between you and your dog. Your dog will learn what’s expected of them, and you’ll learn how to better understand their signals. This reduces confusion and frustration for both parties, leading to a stronger bond.

3. Preventing Behavioral Issues

Many behavioral problems stem from a lack of clear expectations. If your dog isn’t sure what’s right or wrong, they’ll often act out of frustration or boredom. Teaching them boundaries through obedience training can prevent issues like excessive barking, jumping, chewing, or digging. We also offer a detailed post on behavior modification that tackles common behavioral challenges.

4. Social Integration

A well-trained dog is a joy to bring into social settings. Whether you’re inviting guests into your home, visiting a café, or having a picnic at a park, you won’t have to worry about your dog misbehaving, jumping on people, or barking uncontrollably. Training your dog to be calm and polite in these environments will allow you to enjoy life with your dog more fully.

5. Strengthening Your Bond

The process of training is as much about the journey as it is about the results. It’s a chance for you and your dog to work together, build trust, and deepen your connection. Dogs are pack animals by nature, and they thrive when they understand their place within their “pack.” By setting clear boundaries and expectations, you’ll help your dog feel more secure and confident.

6. Legal and Social Responsibility

In many communities, training your dog isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s necessary. Some places like apartment complexes or HOAs require dogs to adhere to specific behavioral standards, particularly if they belong to certain breeds. Having a well-behaved dog also reflects positively on you as an owner and can prevent conflicts with neighbors or other dog owners. In extreme circumstances, you can be sued, and you can be forced to euthanize your dog if its behavior escalates to the point that it endangers other people or animals. 

Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know

Mastering the basics is the first step toward building a strong foundation. Here are the essential commands every dog should know:

Sit

This is often the first command a dog learns, and for good reason. It’s simple but incredibly useful in helping your dog calm down and focus on you.

How to Teach “Sit”:

1. Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose. Ensure your dog is actively sniffing or trying to get to the treat in your hand first. 
2. Say “Sit,” then slowly lift the treat over their head. As their nose follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground.
3. Once their bottom touches the ground, give them verbal praise and allow them to take the treat. 
4. Practice this several times a day, starting in environments where it is easy for your dog to focus before moving on to more difficult environments.

Why “Sit” Matters: “Sit” can be used in so many situations—before feeding, when greeting new people, or as a way to prevent jumping. For a more in-depth look, check out our step-by-step guide to teaching “Sit”.

Stay

Teaching your dog to Stay while in a Sit or a Down instills patience and control in your dog. It’s especially useful for keeping your dog safe in potentially dangerous situations. At Toko Dogs, we do not teach a “Stay” command. Instead, we teach our dogs to stay in a position until we release them i.e. after we tell our dog “Sit”, they remain seated until we tell them a release command such as “Break” or “Free”. 

How to Teach “Stay”:

1. Ask your dog to sit first. 
2. Instead letting them get up without a purpose, begin having your dog get up from the sit to go chase a treat by tossing a treat away from them and giving them verbal praise while they run over to pick up the treat. 
3. Practice getting your dog’s attention back with another treat and luring them back into a sit. Remember only to reward your dog once their rear has completely touched the ground. Wait another 1-2 seconds and give them a second treat while they are still sitting, then toss a treat away from them. Praise them when they go chase after the treat.  
4. Once your dog is consistently sitting on command, waiting for their second treat while in a sit, and then running after the treat when you throw it, begin saying a release word such as “Break”, “Free”, or “Party” right before you toss the treat away from your dog. Do not use words that are commonly used in conversation like “OK”. 
5. Slowly increase the length of time your dog remains in their “Sit” command by waiting longer between their first and second treat. You can also give your dog several treats with short pauses in between. Always remember to say your release word before you toss your treat away from them. 
6. Once your dog can stay in a sit for 4-5 seconds, you can also begin increasing the distance from which you can move away from your dog, by taking 1-2 steps away from them. 
7. If your dog stays in a sit when you move away, immediately return to them, give them some verbal praise, and give them a treat. 
8. Gradually increase the distance by walking further away from them before returning to them, and taking longer to give them a treat between treats while in a sit. Remember to take things slowly, if your dog starts losing focus or making frequent mistakes make things easier or take a break. 

Why “Stay” is Important: Whether you’re keeping your dog from running into the street or stopping them from chasing after a squirrel teaching your dog to stay. 

Come

A reliable recall command, like “Come,” is arguably one of the most important commands your dog will ever learn. It can prevent your dog from getting into dangerous situations and give you control when it’s off-leash.

How to Teach “Come”:

1. Start with a 6-8 foot leash in a low-distraction environment.
2. Stand next to your dog, and call your dog’s name followed by the command “Come.” If your dog turns around and looks at you, give them some verbal praise and offer them a treat. If your dog ignores you, get their attention by holding a treat in front of their nose. 
3. As your dog learns to associate the command “Come” with getting a treat from you, begin standing further away from your dog and repeating the above steps. Your dog should start turning towards you and taking the couple of steps necessary to get closer to you. 
4. Everytime they come to you, even if it took them longer to come back to you than normal, reward them enthusiastically with treats and praise when they come to you. NEVER punish or get mad at your dog for coming back to you too slowly. This will teach them that coming back to you gets them in trouble, not that they came back too slowly. 
5. Begin introducing small distractions, like throwing a low-value toy around and then asking them to come. If they do not come when called, gently lead them back to you with the leash and give them a treat once they are next to you. 

Why “Come” Matters: Having your dog come back to you, no matter what distractions are around, is vital for their safety.

Down

“Down” is all about teaching your dog to relax and stay put. It’s a useful command for when you need your dog to be calm, especially in busy or public areas.

How to Teach “Down”:

1. Begin with your dog in a sitting position.
2. Tell your dog “Down” and hold a treat in front of their nose, then slowly lower it to the ground. Keep your treat as close to their chest and the front of their legs as possible.
3. As they follow the treat their head and chest will lower their entire body into a lying position.
4. Once they are lying fully on the ground, give them a treat and offer praise.
5. Practice regularly until your dog responds to the verbal command alone.

Why “Down” is Useful: Teaching your dog to lie down on command helps them stay calm in situations that might otherwise make them anxious or excited, like during a vet visit or when meeting new people. To dive deeper into this command, visit our post on training “Down”.

Place

The “Place” command is useful for when you need your dog to go to a specific spot and stay there. It helps manage your dog’s behavior during times when you need them to settle, like mealtime or when guests arrive.

How to Teach “Place”:

1. Choose a designated spot, such as a mat or bed.
2. Lead your dog to the spot, then say “Place.”
3. Once they’re on the spot, reward them. You can encourage them to sit or lie down.
4. Gradually increase the time they stay on the spot before being released with a word like “Break” or “Free”.
5. If they leave the mat or bed before you say the release command, you can gently lead them back onto the bed with the leash. 

When to Use “Place”: “Place” helps your dog understand boundaries and gives them a “safe zone” to relax when things get hectic around the house. Learn more about using the “Place” command in our detailed article.

Advanced Obedience Commands

Once your dog knows the basics, you can introduce more advanced commands. These are designed to improve your dog’s reliability and responsiveness in real-life situations.

Heel

“Heel” is all about teaching your dog to walk calmly beside you without pulling. It’s especially helpful for dogs who get overly excited or distracted during walks. 

How to Teach “Heel”:

1. Start with your dog off-leash in a quiet room or your backyard. 
2. Stand parallel to a wall or fenceline with your left side being closest to the wall. Leave enough space between the wall and yourself for your dog to fit. This prevents your dog from moving to far away from you to the left. 
3. Lure your dog into a sit between yourself and the wall. Repeat this process multiple times so that your dog learns that treats are given when they are sitting next to you facing the same direction as you. 
4. Get a handful of treats and place them in front of your dogs nose while they are sitting next you. Begin taking very small steps forward. As your dog walks begins to move forward to catch up with the treats, begin feeding them a treat or two at a time as they move with you. If your dog moves in front of you or falls behind, stop and start at step 3. 
5. Eventually you can start standing further away from the wall, and walking with your dog following the treats. 
6. As your dog progresses, we can begin adding some slow left and right turns, being sure to reward heavily during the turns to encourage your dog to stay close to you. 
7. Once your dog is consistently staying next to you for prolonged periods of time, add a leash and repeat the exercise. We aim to prevent your dog from ever pulling on the leash to begin with. If your dog makes a mistake and starts pulling on the leash, turn around and gently lead them the opposite direction, rewarding them for returning to the heel position. 

Why “Heel” is Important: Walking with your dog should be enjoyable, not a tug-of-war. “Heel” gives you control and ensures your dog stays focused on you. Want more tips? Check out our guide to loose-leash walking.

Leave It

“Leave It” is a command that prevents your dog from grabbing things they shouldn’t—whether it’s something dangerous on the ground or a tempting snack. If your dog has a history of aggression around resources, consult with a professional before attempting. 

How to Teach “Leave It”:

1. Place a treat on the ground and cover it with your hand.
2. Say “Leave It” as your dog tries to get the treat.
3. Once they back away, reward them with a different treat.
4. Gradually increase the temptation by using more desirable objects.

Why “Leave It” Matters: Whether you’re on a walk and your dog spots something dangerous, or they’re indoors and find your shoes too tempting, “Leave It” ensures they know what’s off-limits. Learn more about mastering this command in our article on teaching “Leave It”.

Obedience Training for Real-Life Situations

Training isn’t just for show—it’s about preparing your dog for the challenges and situations they’ll face in the real world.

Training for Public Walks

Taking your dog out in public introduces a whole new set of distractions. Whether it’s other dogs, people, or enticing smells, your dog needs to know how to behave calmly in any situation.

• Start Small: Begin with low-distraction areas before moving on to busier environments. If you live in a busy neighborhood or apartment complex that makes it difficult for your dog to focus, you may want to drive to a quieter location so you and your dog can practice in relatively calmer scenarios. 
• Keep Their Attention: Use treats or toys to keep and regain your dog’s focus on you.
• Use Commands: Commands like “Heel,” “Leave It,” and “Come” are especially useful during public walks. Making your dog sit or down in stressful situations is often counter-productive. 

Check out our detailed guide on navigating public spaces to ensure your dog stays calm and controlled.

Training in Social Settings

If you want your dog to behave well around other dogs and people, they need to practice socializing in controlled environments.

• Introduce Gradually: Slowly expose your dog to new dogs and people in calm settings. Socialization does not mean that your dog actually needs to interact with other dogs and people, particularly on a leash. Simply being in the same room or area as other dogs and people can be sufficient in the beginning. Exposure to different environments before your dog socializing in different environments is very important too. 
• Enforce Commands: Continue using commands like “Sit” and “Stay” to manage their behavior.
• Monitor Body Language: Pay attention to signs of anxiety or excitement, and know when to remove your dog from a situation. If you have a puppy who is displaying signs of anxiety or fear, you should remove your dog until they calm down. Once calm, you can reintroduce them back to the social situation, but take steps to make the triggers less invasive into their space. 

If you’re struggling with this, our post on socializing your dog offers tips on making interactions more positive.

Common Obedience Training Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

Even with the best intentions, training doesn’t always go smoothly. Here’s how to tackle some of the most common challenges:

Overcoming Distractions

Distractions are everywhere—whether it’s the neighbor’s cat or a squirrel in the yard. Teaching your dog to focus on you in the face of distractions is key.

• Start Small: Practice in a quiet room, then gradually increase the level of distractions. For example, using a computer speaker to play barking sounds quietly can be a great way to begin desensitizing your dog to other dogs. 
• Use High-Value Rewards: Treats your dog loves can keep their attention even when distractions are present. 
• Be Consistent: Regular practice in different environments helps solidify good behavior.
• Correction: For some dogs, negative reinforcement may be necessary to break a bad behavioral pattern or habit. Consult with a professional before introducing correction into your training. 

Our post on training with distractions offers more tips to help you succeed.

Training a High-Energy Dog

If your dog is bouncing off the walls, it can be difficult to get them to focus long enough to train. However, high-energy dogs can be some of the most enjoyable dogs for a professional to train because if once their energy is directed toward their training, they can often learn faster, and perform with more excitement and determination than other dogs. And wiith the right approach, even the most energetic dogs can learn to calm down and follow commands.

• Burn Off Energy First: Take your dog for a run or play a game of fetch before training.
• Keep Sessions Short: High-energy dogs can lose focus or become frustrated quickly, so aim for short, frequent sessions.
• Use Mental Stimulation: Puzzle toys or scent games can tire out your dog mentally, making them more focused during training.
• Determine What Drives Them: Oftentimes high-energy dogs are really driven for a particular activity or item more so than food. For example, my pitbull will go absolutely crazy if he sees his ball or his favorite tug-toy. Training him would have been so much more difficult if I had only used food to train him, because food means so little to him when there is a ball to chase. Incorporating your dog’s favorite items and activities into their training will make working with your dog more enjoyable for everyone involved. 

How Long Does Obedience Training Take?

Every dog learns at their own pace, but here are some factors that can affect how long it takes for your dog to master obedience training:

Age

• Puppies (0-6 months): Puppies have shorter attention spans, but they also tend to pick up new commands quickly. This also means they tend to pick up on bad habits more quickly as well. 
• Adolescent Dogs (6-24 months): Some dogs between the age of 6-24 months of age go through a period (or multiple periods) or what I call the teenager phase. It may seem that they temporarily forget training that had once been easy for them, and some new unwanted behaviors may appear. Be consistent about reinforcing rules and boundaries and this point, as they are beginning to explore what happens if they do not do what you asked them to. 
• Adult Dogs (24+ months) : Adult dogs may take longer to change bad habits, but they often have better focus and patience. Old dogs can learn new tricks! I have worked with 10+ year old dogs who have made dramatic changes in their behavior in just  4-5 weeks of training. 

Breed

• Working with different breeds can bring about different benefits and challenges. Some breed-specific behaviors exist, such as higher levels of separation anxiety in some German Shepherds, a greater desire to socialize in many Sporting Group dogs, and higher levels of independence from humans and dogs in Shiba Inus. I’ll touch on a few of the groups of dogs that I work with frequently. 
• Herding Breeds: Dogs like Border Collies, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and other herding dogs are often eager to learn and excel at training. These dogs are often referred to as Working Dogs. However, boredom and a lack of purpose can cause these dogs to become destructive or make them rowdy and difficult to control in everyday life.   
• Sporting Breeds: Often the best option for families or new dog owners, sporting breeds tend to be more sociable with other dogs and people. They also are often very excited to work and train with their owners. Some sporting breeds can deal with higher levels of separation anxiety. 
• Working Breeds: Working breeds, like the Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Schnauzer, and Husky, fall into this group. While there is a massive amount of variation between breeds in this group, the one thing they all have in common is that they were built for a purpose. Whether that was for protection purposes or sled-pulling, these dogs often have high levels of energy and determination. 
• Terrier Breeds: Dogs in the terrier group were bred to kill rodents and vermin, often by tunneling or digging for them. While often smaller dogs (and very cute), we must realize that they tend to have very high levels of prey drive, meaning they will like to chase things, and can easily become frustrated if restrained. 

Previous Training and Socialization

Dogs with previous training or socialization will likely learn faster. Rescue dogs may need extra time to adjust to their new environment and feel safe before they can focus on training. Unless there are extreme circumstances, I typically do not start working with a newly placed rescue dog until they have been in the home for at least a month. We can still be setting basic rules and boundaries, but typically they need some time to feel comfortable first. 

Professional Obedience Training vs. DIY

Many dog owners wonder whether they should train their dog themselves or seek professional help. Here are the benefits of each approach:

Benefits of Professional Training

1. Expertise: Trainers have experience with a wide variety of breeds and behaviors.
2. Faster Results: Trainers know how to achieve your goals more quickly.
3. Personalized Plans: Professionals can create a training plan tailored specifically to your dog’s needs.
4. Accidents: Sometimes owners can sometimes teach their dog’s bad habits and behaviors, even when only utilizing positive reinforcement techniques (yes, improper use of positive reinforcement can even make your dog reactive or aggressive). If you are training your dog and feel that their behavior is worsening, working with a professional can help determine if different training strategies and techniques should be utilized. Furthermore, if your dog is aggressive, you, your family, friends, strangers, and other dogs could be at risk of getting hurt if you do not have the correct safety protocols in place.  

If you’re interested in professional help, Toko Dogs offers expert dog obedience training services for dogs of all ages and breeds.

DIY Training

DIY training techniques allows you to work on your schedule and can help strengthen the bond between you and your dog. However, it requires consistency and patience, and some dog owners find trouble navigating the often conflicting training advice and information on the internet. 

• Tips for DIY Training:
• Educate yourself with reputable resources.
• Stay consistent with commands and rewards.
• Be patient, and remember that progress takes time. 

Conclusion

Obedience training is more than just teaching your dog to follow commands—it’s about building a deeper connection based on trust, respect, and communication. By mastering the basics, progressing to advanced commands, and tackling real-life situations, you’ll enjoy a more peaceful, fulfilling relationship with your dog.

And if you ever need extra guidance, Toko Dogs offers professional training classes to help you along the way. Whether you choose to DIY or work with a pro, consistency, patience, and positivity are the keys to success.

For more tips, advice, and step-by-step guides, visit our dog training blog or reach out to Toko Dogs for personalized help.

Imagine this: you’re enjoying a peaceful walk in the park with your dog by your side, perfectly behaving despite the squirrels darting around, children running, and other dogs passing by. For many dog owners, this feels like a far-off dream, but it doesn’t have to be. With consistent obedience training, this level of calm and connection is within your reach.

Dog Obedience training is more than just teaching your dog to follow commands; it’s about building a relationship of trust, mutual respect, and effective communication. This guide will take you through the steps of training your dog, from mastering the basics to conquering advanced commands, handling real-life situations, and overcoming common challenges. Whether you’re starting with a puppy or trying to correct behaviors in an older dog, this guide will help you achieve the results you’re looking for.

What is Dog Obedience Training?

At its heart, obedience training is about teaching your dog to respond consistently and reliably to commands. But it’s also about understanding how your dog communicates, their individual learning style, and building a partnership. It’s not just about control—it’s about giving your dog the tools to live harmoniously with you and your family.

The Key Principles of Obedience Training

1. Consistency: Dogs thrive on routine. Use the same commands and cues every time, and reinforce good behavior consistently.
2. Positive Reinforcement: Reward-based training is proven to be the most effective and humane way to train. When your dog does something right, they get rewarded. This can be treats, praise, or play.
3. Patience: Training takes time, and every dog learns at their own pace. Expecting perfection right away sets you and your dog up for frustration.
4. Clarity: Make sure your commands are clear and easy to understand. Dogs don’t speak our language, but they can learn to associate specific words or signals with actions.

Why is this important?

Imagine your dog is running toward a busy street, and you call them to “Come.” If they don’t understand or haven’t practiced enough to respond reliably, the consequences could be severe. But with proper training, you’ll have the peace of mind that they’ll come back immediately.

Why is Obedience Training Important for Every Dog?

Obedience training isn’t just for misbehaving or stubborn dogs. Every dog, regardless of breed, size, or age, benefits from learning the basics and beyond. Here’s why:

1. Safety

The most crucial aspect of obedience training is safety—for both your dog and the people around them. A dog who listens to commands like “Stay” and “Come” is far less likely to get into dangerous situations. Whether it’s preventing them from running into the street or stopping them from eating something harmful off the ground, obedience training can literally save your dog’s life. Want to improve your dog’s recall? Check out our guide to recall training for actionable tips.

2. Better Communication

Training creates a clear line of communication between you and your dog. Your dog will learn what’s expected of them, and you’ll learn how to better understand their signals. This reduces confusion and frustration for both parties, leading to a stronger bond.

3. Preventing Behavioral Issues

Many behavioral problems stem from a lack of clear expectations. If your dog isn’t sure what’s right or wrong, they’ll often act out of frustration or boredom. Teaching them boundaries through obedience training can prevent issues like excessive barking, jumping, chewing, or digging. We also offer a detailed post on behavior modification that tackles common behavioral challenges.

4. Social Integration

A well-trained dog is a joy to bring into social settings. Whether you’re at the dog park, a café, or a family gathering, you won’t have to worry about your dog misbehaving, jumping on people, or barking uncontrollably. Training your dog to be calm and polite in these environments will allow you to enjoy life with your dog more fully.

5. Strengthening Your Bond

The process of training is as much about the journey as it is about the results. It’s a chance for you and your dog to work together, build trust, and deepen your connection. Dogs are pack animals by nature, and they thrive when they understand their place within their “pack.” By setting clear boundaries and expectations, you’ll help your dog feel more secure.

6. Legal and Social Responsibility

In many communities, training your dog isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. Some areas require dogs to have basic obedience training, particularly if they belong to certain breeds. Having a well-behaved dog also reflects positively on you as an owner and can prevent conflicts with neighbors or other dog owners.

Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know

Mastering the basics is the first step toward building a strong foundation. Here are the essential commands every dog should know:

Sit

This is often the first command a dog learns, and for good reason. It’s simple, but incredibly useful in helping your dog calm down and focus on you.

How to Teach “Sit”:

1. Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
2. Slowly lift the treat over their head. As their nose follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground.
3. Once they sit, say “Sit” and give them the treat.
4. Practice this several times a day in different environments.

Why “Sit” Matters: “Sit” can be used in so many situations—before feeding, when greeting new people, or as a way to prevent jumping. For a more in-depth look, check out our step-by-step guide to teaching “Sit”.

Stay

Teaching “Stay” is about instilling patience and control in your dog. It’s especially useful for keeping your dog safe in potentially dangerous situations.

How to Teach “Stay”:

1. Start with your dog in a sitting position.
2. Hold your palm out toward them and say “Stay.”
3. Take a step back. If they stay in place, return to them and give them a treat.
4. Gradually increase the distance and duration of the “Stay.”

Why “Stay” is Important: Whether you’re keeping your dog from running into the street or stopping them from chasing after a squirrel, “Stay” is an essential command. To help reinforce this behavior, follow our comprehensive guide on teaching “Stay”.

Come

A reliable recall command, like “Come,” is arguably one of the most important commands your dog will ever learn. It can prevent them from getting into dangerous situations and gives you control when they’re off-leash.

How to Teach “Come”:

1. Start with a long leash in a low-distraction environment.
2. Call your dog’s name followed by the command “Come.”
3. Gently guide them toward you if needed.
4. Reward them enthusiastically with treats and praise when they come to you.

Why “Come” Matters: Having your dog come back to you, no matter what distractions are around, is vital for their safety. Our post on improving recall offers more tips for training this life-saving skill.

Down

“Down” is all about teaching your dog to relax and stay put. It’s a useful command for when you need your dog to be calm, especially in busy or public areas.

How to Teach “Down”:

1. Begin with your dog in a sitting position.
2. Hold a treat in front of their nose, then slowly lower it to the ground.
3. As they follow the treat, their body should lower into a lying position.
4. Once they’re down, say “Down” and give them the treat.

Why “Down” is Useful: Teaching your dog to lie down on command helps them stay calm in situations that might otherwise make them anxious or excited, like during a vet visit or when meeting new people. To dive deeper into this command, visit our post on training “Down”.

Place

The “Place” command is useful for when you need your dog to go to a specific spot and stay there. It helps manage your dog’s behavior during times when you need them to settle, like mealtime or when guests arrive.

How to Teach “Place”:

1. Choose a designated spot, such as a mat or bed.
2. Lead your dog to the spot, then say “Place.”
3. Once they’re on the spot, reward them and encourage them to lie down.
4. Gradually increase the time they stay on the spot before being released.

When to Use “Place”: “Place” helps your dog understand boundaries and gives them a “safe zone” to relax when things get hectic around the house. Learn more about using the “Place” command in our detailed article.

Advanced Obedience Commands

Once your dog has the basics down, you can introduce more advanced commands. These are designed to improve your dog’s reliability and responsiveness in real-life situations.

Heel

“Heel” is all about teaching your dog to walk calmly beside you without pulling. It’s especially helpful for dogs who get overly excited or distracted during walks.

How to Teach “Heel”:

1. Start with your dog on a short leash.
2. Hold a treat in your left hand and say “Heel.”
3. As your dog walks beside you, give them the treat.
4. If they start pulling, stop walking until they return to your side.

Why “Heel” is Important: Walking with your dog should be enjoyable, not a tug-of-war. “Heel” gives you control and ensures your dog stays focused on you. Want more tips? Check out our guide to loose-leash walking.

Leave It

“Leave It” is a command that prevents your dog from grabbing things they shouldn’t—whether it’s something dangerous on the ground or a tempting snack.

How to Teach “Leave It”:

1. Place a treat on the ground and cover it with your hand.
2. Say “Leave It” as your dog tries to get the treat.
3. Once they back away, reward them with a different treat.
4. Gradually increase the temptation by using more desirable objects.

Why “Leave It” Matters: Whether you’re on a walk and your dog spots something dangerous, or they’re indoors and find your shoes too tempting, “Leave It” ensures they know what’s off-limits. Learn more about mastering this command in our article on teaching “Leave It”.

Obedience Training for Real-Life Situations

Training isn’t just for show—it’s about preparing your dog for the challenges and situations they’ll face in the real world.

Training for Public Walks

Taking your dog out in public introduces a whole new set of distractions. Whether it’s other dogs, people, or enticing smells, your dog needs to know how to behave calmly in any situation.

• Start Small: Begin with low-distraction areas before moving on to busier environments.
• Keep Their Attention: Use treats or toys to keep your dog focused on you.
• Use Commands: Commands like “Heel,” “Leave It,” and “Sit” are especially useful during public walks.

Check out our detailed guide on navigating public spaces to ensure your dog stays calm and controlled.

Training in Social Settings

If you want your dog to behave well around other dogs and people, they need to practice socializing in controlled environments.

• Introduce Gradually: Slowly expose your dog to new dogs and people in calm settings.
• Enforce Commands: Continue using commands like “Sit” and “Stay” to manage their behavior.
• Monitor Body Language: Pay attention to signs of anxiety or excitement, and know when to remove your dog from a situation.

If you’re struggling with this, our post on socializing your dog offers tips on making interactions more positive.

Common Obedience Training Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

Even with the best intentions, training doesn’t always go smoothly. Here’s how to tackle some of the most common challenges:

Overcoming Distractions

Distractions are everywhere—whether it’s the neighbor’s cat or a squirrel in the yard. Teaching your dog to focus on you in the face of distractions is key.

• Start Small: Practice in a quiet room, then gradually increase the level of distractions.
• Use High-Value Rewards: Treats your dog loves can keep their attention even when distractions are present.
• Be Consistent: Regular practice in different environments helps solidify good behavior.

Our post on training with distractions offers more tips to help you succeed.

Training a High-Energy Dog

If your dog is bouncing off the walls, it can be hard to get them to focus long enough to train. But with the right approach, even the most energetic dogs can learn to calm down and follow commands.

• Burn Off Energy First: Take your dog for a run or play a game of fetch before training.
• Keep Sessions Short: High-energy dogs can lose focus quickly, so aim for short, frequent sessions.
• Use Mental Stimulation: Puzzle toys or scent games can tire out your dog mentally, making them more focused during training.

For more advice on managing high-energy dogs, check out our guide on high-energy dog training.

How Long Does Obedience Training Take?

Every dog learns at their own pace, but here are some factors that can affect how long it takes for your dog to master obedience training:

Age

• Puppies: Puppies have shorter attention spans, but they also tend to pick up new commands quickly.
• Adult Dogs: Adult dogs may take longer to unlearn bad habits, but they often have better focus and patience.

Breed

• Working Breeds: Dogs like Border Collies or German Shepherds are eager to learn and excel at training.
• Independent Breeds: Breeds like Terriers or Shiba Inus may require more patience and creativity.

Previous Training and Socialization

Dogs with previous training or socialization will likely learn faster. Rescue dogs, however, may need extra time to adjust to their new environment and feel safe before they can focus on training.

For more on setting realistic training expectations, visit our post on how long obedience training takes.

Professional Obedience Training vs. DIY

Many dog owners wonder whether they should train their dog themselves or seek professional help. Here are the benefits of each approach:

Benefits of Professional Training

1. Expertise: Trainers have experience with a wide variety of breeds and behaviors.
2. Faster Results: Trainers know how to achieve your goals more quickly.
3. Personalized Plans: Professionals can create a training plan tailored specifically to your dog’s needs.

If you’re interested in professional help, Toko Dogs offers expert dog obedience training services for dogs of all ages and breeds.

DIY Training

DIY training techniques allows you to work on your schedule and can help strengthen the bond between you and your dog. However, it requires consistency and patience.

• Tips for DIY Training:
• Educate yourself with reputable resources.
• Stay consistent with commands and rewards.
• Be patient, and remember that progress takes time.

If you’re unsure which option is best for you, our post on professional vs. DIY training can help you make the right decision.

Conclusion

Obedience training is more than just teaching your dog to follow commands—it’s about building a deeper connection based on trust, respect, and communication. By mastering the basics, progressing to advanced commands, and tackling real-life situations, you’ll enjoy a more peaceful, fulfilling relationship with your dog.

And if you ever need extra guidance, Toko Dogs offers professional training classes to help you along the way. Whether you choose to DIY or work with a pro, consistency, patience, and positivity are the keys to success.For more tips, advice, and step-by-step guides, visit our dog training blog or reach out to Toko Dogs for personalized help.