5 Basic Dog Commands: Sit, Shake, Down, Stand, Stay

📌 Key Points

• ✅ Short sessions of 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times a day, are more effective than one long session
• ✅ The whole family uses the same command and same hand signal to avoid mixing up sit and down
• ✅ Give a treat within 1-2 seconds after completing the action to build the link between action and reward
• ✅ When teaching down, move the treat straight down in a line; if it goes off at an angle, the dog will stand up
• ✅ Physical punishment and collar pulling destroy trust and can even trigger defensive aggression

Want a well-behaved dog? You don't need to sign up for expensive training classes right away. With the right method, you can teach your dog the 5 basic commands from scratch at home: sit, shake, down, stand, stay. These commands are not just party tricks; they are the foundation for daily management, social manners and safety control. Here we break down everything from pre-training preparation, detailed steps for each command, to the most common beginner mistakes.

Why teach basic commands? 4 benefits

• Safety control: When crossing the road, taking the lift, or visiting the vet, a single 'sit' or 'stay' can prevent your dog from bolting.
• Social manners: A dog that learns to sit when greeting won't jump on people, making guests and passers-by feel safe.
• Mental exercise: Obedience training is brain training; it burns energy comparable to a walk and can greatly reduce boredom-driven destructive behaviour.
• Stronger bond: The interactive learning process builds trust, and your dog will be more willing to pay attention to your cues and learn other skills faster.

3 preparations before training

1. Treats should be small and quick: Prepare small, high-scent treats, one at a time, and give within 1-2 seconds after your dog completes the action to build the 'action = reward' link.

2. 5-10 minutes per session: Puppies have limited focus; short sessions 2-3 times a day work best when your dog is in a good mood and a little hungry.

3. Family uses the same command: One command should have only one word and one hand signal. Mixing 'sit', 'sit down', 'lie down' will confuse your dog.

5 basic command training steps

Command 1: Sit

'Sit' is the starting point of all training. Hold a treat close to your dog's nose and slowly move it back and up; the moment their bottom touches the ground, say 'sit' and reward immediately. After a few repetitions, add a hand signal, then gradually extend the duration from 3-5 seconds to over 1 minute.

Command 2: Shake

Based on 'sit', extend your hand and say 'shake', gently lift one of your dog's front paws, and reward when done. Once proficient, add the 'switch' command to practise the other paw, and finally you can do it with just a hand signal.

Command 3: Down (lie down)

With your dog sitting, hold a treat at their nose and slowly slide it straight down along the ground, luring their front body to lie down; reward when elbows touch the ground. The key is to keep the treat moving in a straight line—if it goes off at an angle, your dog will stand up and the training will go off track. After completion, use 'sit' to end the action so your dog learns to distinguish the end of the command.

Command 4: Stand

While your dog is sitting, extend your palm upwards towards them and say 'stand'. Reward when they are standing steadily on all four paws, then gradually extend the standing time, eventually achieving the action with just a hand signal and verbal cue. This command makes it much easier to wipe paws and check their body later.

Command 5: Stay (wait)

First have your dog sit, say 'stay', then stand directly in front of them, wait 2 seconds, return to their side and reward. Gradually increase the seconds each day, but don't increase distance at first. This command is most useful before opening the door, crossing the road, or before meals—it's the lesson with the highest safety value.

3 most common beginner mistakes

1. Physical punishment and scolding: Hitting or scolding when your dog doesn't obey only makes them lose their sense of security, stop trusting you, and can even lead to defensive aggression. The right direction is to 'teach' not 'scold'.

2. Unclear commands: Commands should be short, clearly pronounced, and said only once; repeating them will make your dog numb.

3. Rewards too late or too frequent: Rewards must be given the moment the action is completed; a few seconds late and your dog may think another behaviour is being rewarded. Also avoid over-praising for no reason, or the reward loses meaning.

PetChill's Reminder

For the 5 basic commands, we recommend 5-10 minutes of segmented practice daily, from easy to hard: master sit before shake, then add 'stay'. Remember: patience and consistency are more important than any training technique.

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