Step-by-step course
How to Teach Your Dog Basic Commands: Sit, Stay, Come, Drop
The 6 commands every Australian dog should know — and the exact step-by-step method to teach them fast
5 chapters, 9 min read
Before you start
In short
- Sit, Stay, Come, Drop, Leave It, and Heel are essential safety commands that take 1–2 weeks each with 5-minute daily sessions — use high-value treats and positive reinforcement only
- Luring (guiding with a treat) is fastest for beginners; capture and shaping take longer but build better obedience. Never repeat commands or punish mistakes — you'll teach your dog to ignore you
- Proof commands in distracting environments (parks, streets) after perfecting them at home. A reliable "Come" on a long-line could save your dog's life
In Australia, you're legally responsible for controlling your dog in public. But beyond law, basic commands are about safety and relationship. A dog who sits at the vet's, stays put at the park gate, and comes when called is a dog who gets more freedom, more adventures, and a better life. Master these six — Sit, Stay, Come, Drop, Leave It, Heel — and you can teach anything else.
01
Three Teaching Methods
Luring
- How It Works
- Hold treat near nose, guide into position, reward immediately
- Best For
- Beginners, most commands
- Speed
- Fastest — most dogs get it in 1–2 days
Capture
- How It Works
- Reward dog when they naturally do the behaviour, then name it
- Best For
- Sit, Down, Stay
- Speed
- Slower but builds very solid obedience
Shaping
- How It Works
- Reward small steps toward the final behaviour
- Best For
- Complex tricks, Heel
- Speed
- Slowest but excellent for precision
| Method | How It Works | Best For | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luring | Hold treat near nose, guide into position, reward immediately | Beginners, most commands | Fastest — most dogs get it in 1–2 days |
| Capture | Reward dog when they naturally do the behaviour, then name it | Sit, Down, Stay | Slower but builds very solid obedience |
| Shaping | Reward small steps toward the final behaviour | Complex tricks, Heel | Slowest but excellent for precision |
02
The Six Essential Commands
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product links on this page go to Amazon AU. Prices shown are approximate, check Amazon for current pricing.
1. Sit — Foundation Command
- 1
Hold treat at nose height
Use luring. Hold a small high-value treat (chicken, cheese) close to your dog's nose.
- 2
Move treat up and backward
Slowly raise the treat over their head. As their nose follows up, their rear naturally goes down.
- 3
Mark the exact moment
The instant their bottom touches the ground, say "Sit!" clearly and give the treat immediately.
- 4
Repeat 10–15 times per session
Within 3 days, most dogs sit before you even lure. Training time: 2–3 days.
2. Stay — Impulse Control
- 1
Ask for Sit
Always start Stay from a Sit or Down position.
- 2
Reward for 1 second of staying
The moment they hold position even briefly, reward them. Build duration slowly.
- 3
Use a release word
"Free!" or "OK!" — your dog must wait until you release them. This is the key to a reliable Stay.
- 4
Increase duration gradually
1 second → 5 seconds → 10 → 30 seconds. Never jump ahead. Add distance only after 30s is solid.
- Biggest Stay mistake
- Asking for too much too soon. If they break, you went too far — shorten the duration and rebuild.
3. Come — The Safety Command
- 1
Start indoors on lead
Put a lead on your dog. Back away slowly, say "Come!" with excitement, gently reel them toward you.
- 2
Celebrate wildly when they arrive
The moment they reach you, celebrate. Big treats, big praise. Make coming to you the best thing ever.
- 3
Graduate to fenced outdoor area
Once reliable indoors, practice in a secure garden or fenced park. Never off-lead in open areas yet.
- 4
Proof on a long line
Use a 10m long line in open areas — gives freedom while maintaining safety during the proofing phase.
Long Line / Recall Lead (10m)
Essential safety tool for proofing recall in open Australian parks. Allows your dog freedom to explore while you maintain control if they don't respond. Biothane is waterproof and easy to clean.
- 10m length
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant options
- Prevents bolting during training
4. Drop — Critical in Australia
- 1
Let them grab a low-value object
Give them something they like but not love — a stick or low-value toy.
- 2
Show a high-value treat
Bring a high-value treat close to their nose and say "Drop!" clearly.
- 3
Reward the release
The moment they release, reward immediately. You're rewarding the release, not just the obedience.
- 4
Progress to tempting objects
Practice with increasingly valuable items. Always reward with something better than what they dropped.
- Why Drop matters in Australia
- Dogs encounter snake bait, toxic plants, dead wildlife, food scraps, and sharp objects. A reliable Drop is a life-saving skill.
5. Leave It — Prevention First
- 1
Place a low-value item on the ground
Step in front of it and block access with your body.
- 2
Say "Leave it!" once
Don't repeat. Wait for your dog to look away from the item or look up at you.
- 3
Reward looking away
The moment they disengage from the item, reward immediately. You're rewarding the choice to ignore it.
- 4
Increase item value over weeks
Low-value item → food → toy → food on ground → other dog's food bowl.
Dog Training Clicker with Wrist Strap
Helps you mark the exact moment your dog succeeds. Click when they drop or leave an item, then reward. Clickers are especially effective for Drop and Leave It where split-second timing matters.
- Audible click
- Easy to hold
- Wrist strap included
- Perfect for Drop and Leave It
6. Heel — Walk Beside Me
- 1
Hold treat at your side
Not in front of you — at hip height on your left side. Your dog will naturally move beside you to follow it.
- 2
Walk forward slowly
Reward frequently while they're in position beside you. High rate of reinforcement at first.
- 3
Reduce lure frequency gradually
Use fewer treats over sessions. Occasionally reward to maintain motivation.
- 4
Proof in distracting environments
Perfect at home → quiet street → busy path. Each level builds on the last.
Front-Clip No-Pull Harness
Makes Heel training faster by redirecting pulling toward you instead of forward. Not a punishment tool — just a training aid that makes the desired behaviour easier to achieve while you're building the skill.
- Front-clip design
- Reduces pulling
- Comfortable fit
- Widely available in Australia
03
Common Training Mistakes
Repeating the command
- Why It Backfires
- Dog learns to ignore the first cue — waits for the 3rd or 4th
- The Fix
- Say it once. If no response, help them into position and try again
Too-low-value rewards
- Why It Backfires
- Dog doesn't find the reward worth the effort
- The Fix
- Use real meat, cheese, or chicken — not old kibble
Distracting environment too soon
- Why It Backfires
- Dog fails consistently and the command loses meaning
- The Fix
- Perfect indoors and in low-distraction areas first
Punishing mistakes or slow responses
- Why It Backfires
- Dog becomes afraid to try new behaviours
- The Fix
- Never punish. Just try again with easier steps
Sessions too long
- Why It Backfires
- Dog mentally fatigues and disengages
- The Fix
- Max 10 minutes. Stop before they lose interest — always end on a success
Training after a meal
- Why It Backfires
- Full dog has low food motivation
- The Fix
- Train before meals when hungry but not frantic
| Mistake | Why It Backfires | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Repeating the command | Dog learns to ignore the first cue — waits for the 3rd or 4th | Say it once. If no response, help them into position and try again |
| Too-low-value rewards | Dog doesn't find the reward worth the effort | Use real meat, cheese, or chicken — not old kibble |
| Distracting environment too soon | Dog fails consistently and the command loses meaning | Perfect indoors and in low-distraction areas first |
| Punishing mistakes or slow responses | Dog becomes afraid to try new behaviours | Never punish. Just try again with easier steps |
| Sessions too long | Dog mentally fatigues and disengages | Max 10 minutes. Stop before they lose interest — always end on a success |
| Training after a meal | Full dog has low food motivation | Train before meals when hungry but not frantic |
04
Training Session Essentials
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product links on this page go to Amazon AU. Prices shown are approximate, check Amazon for current pricing.
Dog Training Treat Pouch Belt
Hands-free treat delivery during training sessions. Keeps both hands free for luring, marking, and rewarding. Quick-access opening for split-second timing. Washable.
- Multiple compartments
- Easy-access openings
- Washable
- Comfortable belt fit
Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Treats
Small, soft, high-value treats for training. Bite-sized so you can reward 20+ times without filling your dog up. Natural ingredients, low calorie per treat, available in Australia.
- Bite-sized pieces
- Soft and easy to chew
- High-value reward
- Natural ingredients
05
Proofing: Taking Commands to the Park
- Level 1 — Home (no distractions)
- Master all 6 commands here first. 90%+ success rate required before moving up.
- Level 2 — Quiet outdoor area
- Empty carpark, quiet residential street, backyard. New environment adds mild distraction.
- Level 3 — Low-distraction park
- Early morning park, few people/dogs. Use long line for Come. Build to 90%+ success.
- Level 4 — Busy park
- Dogs, people, activity. This is where most owners rush to. Only attempt after Level 3 is solid.
- Level 5 — Busy street / off-lead area
- Maximum distraction. A rock-solid command at this level is truly proofed.
End of the course
Common questions
How old should my puppy be before starting command training?
Puppies can start learning basic commands at 8 weeks old. They have short attention spans, so keep sessions very brief (2–3 minutes) and use extremely high-value treats. Most puppies grasp Sit and Come by 12 weeks with consistent daily practice.
Can I teach multiple commands in one session?
Yes, but it's not efficient. Teach one command until it's solid (3–5 days), then introduce the next. Your dog's brain has limited capacity. Mixing too many commands creates confusion. Once each command is proofed, you can practice multiple commands in one session.
My dog ignores me in public. Should I use a shock collar?
Absolutely not. Shock collars are inhumane, illegal in several Australian states, and damage your relationship with your dog. If your dog won't come, you've skipped the proofing steps. Go back to low-distraction environments and work up systematically. Use a long line for safety while you rebuild.
What if my dog refuses treats?
Either the treats aren't high-value enough, your dog is too distracted, or they're not hungry. Try different treats (real chicken breast works for most). Train before meals when they're motivated. If your dog is toy-motivated instead, use toys as rewards.
Can I train an older dog, or is it too late?
Dogs can learn at any age. Older dogs often learn faster because they have more impulse control. The same methods work — luring, capturing, shaping. You might need higher-value treats or shorter sessions if they have lower energy, but age is never a barrier.
Should I use a professional trainer?
Not necessary for basic commands — you can do it yourself with consistency. A trainer is valuable if you have a fearful dog, a dog with problem behaviours, or if you're struggling after 2 weeks of consistent effort. Always choose force-free, positive reinforcement-based trainers only.