Dog training made simple

9 lessons

Start with five basic commands: your dog's name, come, sit, down and stay. This program teaches them in that order, one short lesson per command, with the training basics and luring covered along the way.

1

Why Training Matters

Why training is worth doing not just for obedience, but for communication, mental engagement, and safety. A good starting point before diving into specific commands.

2

The Basics of Dog Training

The core mechanics of positive reinforcement explained simply. Covers timing, marker words, rewards, and how to structure short effective sessions.

3

"Name" Command

Teaching your dog that their name means 'look at me.' A short, focused exercise that builds the attentiveness everything else depends on.

4

"Come" Command

Step-by-step guidance for building a reliable recall: from close range indoors to real-world distances. One of the most important things a dog can learn.

5

When Your Dog Won't Come to You

What to do when your dog has stopped coming when called. Covers the most common reasons recall breaks down and the habits that rebuild it.

6

Luring: A Key Training Concept

A breakdown of luring and why it's one of the most useful techniques in training your dog.

7

"Sit" Command

A step-by-step guide to teaching sit using luring. Covers how to add the verbal cue and fade the treat so your dog responds to the word alone.

8

"Down" Command

A step-by-step guide to teaching down using luring from a sit. Covers adding the verbal cue and building a calm, reliable down.

9

"Stay" Command

How to teach your dog to hold a position until released.

Why this order

There's no single correct order, but this one lets each command build on the one before:

  • Name first. When your dog's name reliably gets their attention, you can use it to signal that a cue is coming.
  • Come early. Recall is one of the most useful things your dog will learn for their safety, so it's worth practising from the start. If it stops working, see When Your Dog Won't Come to You.
  • Luring, then sit and down. A food lure guides your dog into each position, and you fade it so the word alone works.
  • Stay last. Stay means holding a sit or down until you release your dog, so it builds on both.

What to teach next

Once these are reliable, the next everyday commands are Leave It and Drop It for things your dog shouldn't have, Place for settling on a mat or bed, and Heel for walking close beside you.