Every dog owner wants a dog they can trust. But trust does not come from hoping your dog will do the right thing – it comes from teaching them what the right thing actually is.
Basic obedience training is one of the most practical things you can do for your dog and for yourself. It makes daily life easier, keeps your dog safer in Australian conditions, and builds a stronger bond between you. The good news is that you do not need to be a professional trainer or spend a fortune on classes to get started. The five commands below are the foundation every dog needs, and they can be taught at home with patience, consistency, and a bag of treats.
RSPCA Australia and Australian trainers consistently recommend reward-based methods – treats, praise, and play – over punishment or correction. Dogs learn faster and retain more when training is a positive experience. Keep sessions short, around five to ten minutes, and practice daily rather than in long occasional bursts.
If you are just starting out, our post on common dog training myths is worth reading first – it clears up some of the most persistent misconceptions that can slow owners down before they even begin.
1. Sit
Sit is the natural starting point for almost every training journey. It is easy for dogs to learn, immediately useful, and gives your dog a clear, repeatable behaviour to offer you when they are not sure what else to do.
Sit is one of the first commands to teach because it creates a calm, focused starting point for everything that follows. It is also endlessly practical – use it before meals, before putting on a lead, when greeting visitors, and any time you need your dog to pause rather than rush.
How to teach it:
- Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose so they can smell it
- Slowly raise the treat back over their head – their bottom will naturally drop to the ground
- The moment they sit, say “sit” clearly and reward immediately
- Repeat in a quiet space, then gradually add distractions
- Over time, fade the treat lure so your dog responds to the word alone
2. Stay
Once your dog has sit down, stay is the logical next step. It teaches your dog to hold a position until you give a release cue – and that self-control is one of the most useful things a dog can learn.
It is a good idea to start building stay in three stages: duration first, then distance, then distraction. Start by asking for a sit, showing an open palm, and saying “stay.” Take one step back, then immediately return and reward. Gradually increase how long your dog holds the position before you release them with a consistent word like “okay.”
How to teach it:
- Ask for a sit first, then show an open palm and say “stay”
- Take one small step back, then immediately return and reward
- Gradually increase how long your dog holds position before rewarding
- Then slowly increase distance, always returning to reward rather than calling them to you
- Introduce a consistent release word like “okay” so your dog knows when they are free to move
Stay is particularly valuable around gates, doors, and car parks – anywhere a dog bolting forward could be dangerous. It also makes vet visits, meal times, and guests arriving at the front door significantly less chaotic.
3. Come (Recall)
Recall is arguably the most important safety command your dog will ever learn. A reliable “come” can stop your dog from running into traffic, chasing wildlife, or disappearing in unfamiliar terrain – all real risks for Australian dog owners.
The key to a strong recall is making it the best thing that ever happens to your dog. Every single time they come to you when called, something good should follow. A New Leash on Life, an Australian dog training service, emphasises that you should never call your dog to you for something they find unpleasant – like a bath or the end of off-leash time – as this teaches them to hesitate.
How to teach it:
- Start indoors in a quiet room with minimal distractions
- Say your dog’s name followed by “come” in a bright, upbeat tone
- Crouch down, open your arms, and reward heavily every time they arrive
- Progress to the backyard, then a long lead in an open space
- Only practice in a safe off-leash environment once the response is reliable on lead
Our post on socialising your dog covers how to build confidence in public environments, which directly supports recall training around distractions.
4. Leave It
Leave it is the command that most directly keeps your dog out of danger. It teaches them to disengage from something – food, an object, another animal – and look to you instead.
In Australia, this command has particular weight. Dogs on walks or in parks may encounter baits, discarded food, rubbish, or wildlife. Our posts on snake bites and ticks illustrate just how quickly an encounter with the wrong thing in the wrong place can become a medical emergency. Leave it is one of the most effective tools for preventing those situations from escalating.
How to teach it:
- Place a treat in your closed fist and say “leave it”
- Wait for your dog to stop nosing or pawing at your hand – do not say anything else
- The moment they pull back or look away, reward from your other hand
- Progress to a treat on the floor covered by your foot, then uncovered
- Build up to real-world distractions like dropped food or items on walks
Move progressively from food in your fist to treats on the floor to real-world distractions outdoors.
A reliable leave it also helps with bad dog behaviours like scavenging, stealing food off benches, and fixating on other dogs or animals during walks.
5. Heel (Loose-Lead Walking)
A dog that pulls on the lead makes every walk a battle. Loose-lead walking – sometimes called heel – teaches your dog to walk calmly beside you without dragging you down the footpath.
The RSPCA’s training guidance is clear on method: stop moving the moment your dog pulls, and only continue when the lead goes slack. Dogs learn quickly that pulling gets them nowhere. Reward generously when they walk beside you at a relaxed pace. Direction changes – turning left or right without warning – also teach your dog to pay attention to where you are going rather than charging ahead on their own agenda.
How to teach it:
- Start in a quiet area with treats ready and your dog on a standard lead
- Walk forward and reward your dog frequently for staying beside you
- The moment they pull, stop completely and wait for the lead to go slack
- Resume walking only when they return to your side
- Use unexpected direction changes to encourage your dog to watch you rather than lead the way
This command matters for safety around busy roads, in off-leash transition zones, and anywhere your dog needs to be reliably managed alongside other people or animals. If you run with your dog, our post on running with your dog has additional tips for keeping walks and runs controlled and enjoyable for both of you.
A Note on Training and Boarding
Well-trained dogs are also easier to care for when they are away from home. A dog that responds to basic commands is more relaxed in unfamiliar environments, easier for a minder to manage, and less likely to develop stress-related behaviours during a stay. Our post on how to reduce separation anxiety when boarding your dog explores how preparation – including basic training – makes a genuine difference to how well dogs settle with a carer.
At Don’t Fret Pet, our minders take dogs into their own homes for one-on-one care. A dog with solid recall, a reliable stay, and a calm lead manner is simply easier to keep safe and happy in that environment. Learn more about how our dog minding service works.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
The five commands above are not about having a perfectly obedient show dog. They are about having a dog you can trust – in the park, on the footpath, at the vet, and anywhere life takes you both.
Pick one command and practice it for a week before adding another. Keep sessions short and end on a success. And if you hit a wall, our post on how we confuse our dogs is a useful reminder that consistency in your own cues matters just as much as the dog’s effort.
A little training every day adds up to a dog that is a genuine pleasure to live with.