Dogs learn cues by sound and by sight, and they take both very literally. If one person says “down” to mean lie down, another uses it to mean get off the couch, and a third says “lay down” with a different hand motion, your dog has to guess. Many dogs who seem stubborn are really just confused by a household that isn’t speaking the same language.
This cheat sheet fixes that. It gives one cue word and one simple hand signal for each of the 12 skills on our training ladder, plus a release word. When every person uses the same word and gesture, your dog learns faster.
The Short Version
A good dog training commands list pairs each skill with one short cue word and one consistent hand signal that every person in the household uses the same way. The 12 core skills, in order, are Name, Sit, Down, Wait, Come, Go to Place, Leave It, Loose-Leash Walking, Shake, Spin, Roll Over, and Play Dead. Add a release word such as “free” so your dog knows when a cue is finished. Say each cue once, reward with a treat or praise when your dog gets it right, and post the list where the whole family can see it.
The Dog Training Commands List
The table follows the order we recommend teaching the skills. The cue words and hand signals are common choices, not an official standard, so if your dog already knows a different word or gesture, keep it.
Command Cheat Sheet
| Command | Cue Word | Hand Signal | What Your Dog Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Foundations | |||
| Name | Your dog’s name | Index finger brought up toward your eyes | Stops, turns toward you, and makes eye contact |
| Sit | “Sit” | Open palm facing up, raised from waist to chest | Lowers their rear to the floor and stays seated until released |
| Down | “Down” | Flat palm facing down, lowered toward the floor | Lies down with elbows and belly on the floor |
| Wait | “Wait” | Flat palm facing your dog, like a stop sign | Pauses in place at doors, the car, or the food bowl until released |
| Level 2: Everyday Manners | |||
| Come When Called | “Come” | Arm swept from your side in toward your chest | Runs straight to you and stays close until released |
| Go to Place | “Place” | Point to the bed or mat | Goes to their bed or mat and settles there until released |
| Leave It | “Leave it” | Flat hand held sideways between your dog and the item | Turns away from the item and looks back at you |
| Loose-Leash Walking | “Let’s go” | Light pat on your leg on the side your dog walks | Walks near you with a relaxed, slack leash |
| Level 3: Tricks | |||
| Shake | “Shake” | Open palm held out at your dog’s chest height | Lifts a front paw and places it in your hand |
| Spin | “Spin” | Index finger drawing a small circle in the air | Turns a full circle in place |
| Roll Over | “Roll over” | Hand rolled in a sideways arc close to the floor | Rolls from a down onto their back and over to the other side |
| Play Dead | “Play dead” | Flat hand tipped over onto its side | Lies flat on their side and holds still until released |
| All Levels | |||
| Release Word | “Free” | Hand swept up and away from your body | Knows the current cue is over and is free to move |
How to Use This Cheat Sheet
A list only helps if everyone follows it. Three habits matter most.
Pick Your Cue Words and Keep Them Consistent
Before you start, agree with everyone who handles your dog on the exact word for each skill. Short words of one or two syllables work best, and each cue should sound different from the others and from your dog’s name. If you want your dog off the furniture, use “off” for that and save “down” for lying down.
Then use the word exactly as written. “Sit” and “sit down” are two different sounds to a dog. Say the cue once in a friendly voice and give your dog a moment. If they don’t respond, help them with a lure or an easier setup rather than repeating the word louder.
Post It Where the Whole Family Sees It
Print the cheat sheet and put it somewhere everyone passes several times a day, such as the fridge, the back door, or next to the leash hook. It’s especially useful for kids, grandparents, dog walkers, and pet sitters, who may not have been there when you chose the words, and it lets new helpers join in without accidentally teaching a different cue.
Use a Release Word Every Time
A release word tells your dog that a cue is finished. Without one, your dog decides for themselves when a sit or a wait is over, usually sooner than you’d like. Many trainers prefer “free” or “break” over “okay,” since “okay” slips into everyday conversation and can release your dog by accident.
Teach it alongside Sit, Down, and Wait. Ask for the position, reward your dog for holding it, then say your release word and encourage them to move with a cheerful step back or a tossed treat.
Tips for Teaching Hand Signals
Many dogs pick up hand signals faster than words because they watch body language closely. Keep each signal simple and identical every time.
Start with the signal as part of the lure. For Sit, a treat raised upward in your hand naturally becomes the open palm moving up. For Down, the hand that lures your dog to the floor becomes the lowering flat palm. After a few sessions, make the same motion with an empty hand and reward from your other hand. This fading step turns a lure into a true signal.
Add the cue word once your dog follows the hand motion about 4 out of 5 times. Say the word, pause for a second, then give the signal. Your dog learns that the word predicts the signal and starts responding to either one alone.
Keep signals big and distinct at first, then make them smaller as your dog improves. Make sure Spin and Roll Over look clearly different, and that everyone uses the same hand and the same motion.
Common Mistakes
These are the habits that most often undo good training, and each one is easy to fix once you notice it.
- Using two words for one skill. If one person says “come” and another says “here,” your dog has to learn twice as much. Pick one and write it on the sheet.
- Using one word for two skills. “Down” for lying down and for getting off the counter is the classic example. Give each behavior its own cue.
- Repeating the cue. Saying “sit, sit, sit” teaches your dog that the first two don’t count. Say it once, then help them succeed.
- Skipping the release word. If your dog decides when a cue ends, holding positions never gets stronger. Release them every time.
- Moving up the ladder too quickly. Roll Over and Play Dead build on a solid Down, and recall builds on a strong name response. Make each skill reliable before adding the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions owners ask most often when setting up a shared commands list.
Should I Use Hand Signals, Words, or Both?
Both is best. Words work when your dog can’t see you, and hand signals help in noisy places or at a distance.
What Is the Difference Between Wait and Stay?
On this sheet, Wait means pause in place until the next cue or the release word, mostly at doors, in the car, and before meals. Some families also teach a separate, longer Stay. Either works, as long as everyone agrees on what each word means.
Can I Change a Cue Word My Dog Already Knows?
Yes. Say the new word, pause for a second, then give the old word or signal your dog already knows, and reward the response. Soon your dog responds to the new word alone.
Do Hand Signals Help Dogs with Hearing Loss?
Hand signals are very useful for dogs who can’t hear well, and many owners teach them for that reason. If your dog has stopped responding to sounds they used to notice, talk to your veterinarian before assuming it’s a training problem.