Dog Training Command Cheat Sheet (Printable)
A printable cheat sheet of 12 core dog training commands, each with a cue word, a simple hand signal, and what your dog should do, plus a release word to end every cue.
Obedience Commands
Step-by-step guides to the cues every dog should know, from name and sit to recall, leave it, and fun tricks.
How to Train a Dog to Play Dead
Play dead builds on a solid down. Lure your dog onto their side, build a few seconds of stillness, then add the classic finger gun and “bang” cue.
How to Train a Dog to Roll Over
Roll over builds on down and is taught in small stages with a treat lure. Here is how to teach it step by step, and when it’s better to skip it.
How to Teach a Dog to Spin
Spin is a fun, beginner friendly trick. Lure a slow circle, fade the treat into a hand signal, add a word, and teach both directions with two cues.
How to Train a Dog to Shake
Shake is the classic first trick, and most dogs learn it fast. Here is how to teach it on both paws and turn it into a high five.
How to Train a Dog to Go to Their Place
Go to place gives your dog a calm job when the doorbell rings or dinner is served. Here is how to teach it on a mat, bed, or cot in six reward-based steps.
How to Train a Dog to Walk on a Leash
Loose-leash walking makes walks calmer for you and more fun for your dog. Learn where to reward, what to do when the leash goes tight, and how to use sniff breaks as rewards.
How to Train a Dog to Leave It
Leave It teaches your dog to turn away from tempting things and look to you instead. Learn the closed-fist method, how to progress to the floor and walks, and how it differs from Drop It.
How to Train a Dog to Come When Called
A reliable recall gives your dog more freedom and keeps them safe. Learn how to choose a recall word, play recall games, practice on a long line, and build an emergency recall.
How to Train a Dog to Wait
Wait is a brief pause that ends with a release word or a new cue. Here is how to teach it in five reward-based steps and use it at doors, the car, and the food bowl.
How to Train a Dog to Lie Down
Teach down with a slow lure from a sit, or use the under the leg tunnel or capturing if your dog won’t follow the treat. Then build a calm, relaxed down.
How to Train a Dog to Sit
A complete, reward-based guide to teaching sit: luring, fading the treat, hand signals, capturing, and using sit for polite greetings and doorways.
How to Teach a Dog Their Name
Teaching your dog their name is the foundation for every other cue. Learn the simple five-step name game, how long it takes, how to rename a rescue dog, and the common mistakes that make dogs tune out.
Level 1
Foundations
Start here. Every other skill builds on these.
- Teach Your Dog Their Name How to Teach a Dog Their Name The first cue, and the base for every other skill.
- Sit How to Train a Dog to Sit Lure it, fade the treat, and use it for greetings.
- Lie Down How to Train a Dog to Lie Down A slow lure from sit, then a calm, relaxed down.
- Wait How to Train a Dog to Wait A brief pause at doors, the car, and the food bowl.
Level 2
Everyday Manners
The skills that make walks, visitors, and dinner easier.
- Come When Called How to Train a Dog to Come When Called Recall games, a long line, and an emergency recall.
- Leave It How to Train a Dog to Leave It Turn away from tempting things and look to you.
- Walk on a Loose Leash How to Train a Dog to Walk on a Leash Where to reward and what to do when it goes tight.
- Go to Place How to Train a Dog to Go to Their Place A calm job when the doorbell rings.
Level 3
Tricks
Fun skills for dogs who already know the basics.
- Shake How to Train a Dog to Shake The classic first trick, on both paws.
- Spin How to Teach a Dog to Spin Lure a slow circle and teach both directions.
- Roll Over How to Train a Dog to Roll Over Built on down and taught in small stages.
- Play Dead How to Train a Dog to Play Dead Stillness on their side, then the "bang" cue.