Some common commands your dog should know

Be consistent. Decide on what behaviors you wish to encourage and which you wish to discourage. Name them and train them. It has been said that any behavior you can name, you can train!

Some general thoughts on commands/dialog for household manners-type obedience:

Sit – This one is obvious. Sit means sit. Say it once, and place the dog into position. Request a sit before feeding time, to leash up, go out or in a door, down stairs, etc. “Sit” can also be a lifesaver toward stopping unwanted behaviors. If you can get a dog to consistently sit on command, you can command the dog to sit in the event you are unable to correct for something else.

Down – Down should be used in the context of “lie down and remain in that position until I release you or ask you to do something else”. Down is a good control to use during human mealtimes.

Stand – Utilizing the stand command enables easier grooming, control and ease of examination and the vet etc.

Stay – Stay is “stay in whatever position you are in until released or until I ask you to do something else”.

Wait – Wait is a variation of stay, but usually signals a pause in two consecutive forward motions or commands, such as “wait” (while you are opening the car door) and then “load up” or “get in” to get into the car. Isn’t necessarily a formal stay.

Come – Definitely a must. Come means come! Here, right now, and to me! Only use the “come” command when you can enforce the response if it is ignored. To ensure success in training, never use “come” to call you dog for something your dog may perceive as unpleasant! Instead, you would go and get your dog without much ado.

Off – Used in the context of “get off” anything or anybody!

Out – “Out” of the room.

Back – “Back” as in backing up, or “back to the spot you just were”.

Move – “Move” out of the way of my forward motion.

Leave It – Indicates the dog should not touch, sniff or pick up an object.

Take It – Indicates the dog should take an object from me.

Hold It – Indicates the dog should hold the item in his mouth until I ask him to “give” or “drop it”.

Give – The dog should release the object to your hand.

Drop It – Drop the object from his mouth.

No Bite – This is used in the context of “Take your mouth OFF” anything, anybody etc. Used for indicating the dog should not chew on an item, should not place his mouth or teeth ON whatever it is he is attempting to, including and not limited to people, clothing, destroying his own toys, chewing on his own self etc.

Settle – An informal type “chill out”, or could be used formally as your command of choice to indicate a “time out”.

Go To Bed – Part of a routine, generalized to the point you could say “go to bed” at any time and the dog would go directly to his night sleeping spot.

Kennel – Command to tell the dog to go into his kennel.

Outside – Indicate to the dog we are going outside for elimination purposes.

Go Hurry – A phrase that can be used to signal or condition/train the dog to eliminate on command. Others commonly used are “go potty”, "go poop",or “do your business”. It doesn’t really matter what phrase you choose as long as you use the same thing consistently.

Let’s Go – Come along with me. Not a formal “heel” command. Used during walks or anytime you just want the dog to ‘come along’.

Easy – Take it easy, slow down, proceed carefully. Used during walks or going up or downstairs.

Go Play – Indicate to the dog, he is free to leave your side and engage in play, or “let’s go play” to indicate going outside, yet distinguished from going “outside” for the purpose of elimination.

That’s All – During play or times of giving attention to your dog, to signal YOU are done playing or giving attention. The dog should cease play or behaviors he uses to gain your attention.

Teeth – Used to indicate to the dog his teeth will now be inspected and cleaned, and your fingers will be in his mouth.

Brush – Used to indicate to the dog he will be brushed. He is expected to stand, sit or lie still while being groomed.

Feet – Used to indicate to the dog his feet will be handled, whether it be for cleaning mud,

drying wet feet, trimming nails etc.
Ears – Used to indicate to the dog his ears will be handled, for cleaning or inspection etc.

Shake Off – Something fun you can train your dog to do when he comes in when its raining or signal the appropriate time for the dog to shake off after a bath!

Shake – The dog offers his paw to “shake”.

Speak – The dog “speaks” on command. A common way to teach a dog to stop annoying barking behaviors is to teach the dog TO speak, but only on command.

Release. Choose a “release” word or phrase that can be used to signal the break, or end of a required behavior; or the end of the training session. Examples of commonly chosen release words are “OKAY!” or “FREE!!” Again, it doesn’t matter what it is, but that it is consistently used and expressed with an upbeat, cheery voice inflection and incorporating body language (upraised arms and a happy smiling face) at the same time