Teaching Good Habits

Req 5 — Obedience Basics

Explain the correct way to obedience train a dog and what equipment you would need. Show with your dog any three of these commands: “come,” “sit,” “down,” “heel,” “stay,” “fetch,” “get it,” “drop it.”

Teaching obedience is really teaching communication. A dog does not automatically understand English words, hand signals, or family rules. Good obedience training shows the dog what you want, rewards success, and builds the behavior step by step. If training feels like a fight, something in the method probably needs to change.

What “Correct” Training Looks Like

Correct training is clear, consistent, and fair. You set the dog up for success, reward the right behavior quickly, and keep sessions short enough that the dog can stay focused. The goal is not to scare the dog into obeying. The goal is to help the dog understand and repeat a useful behavior.

Strong obedience training usually includes:

A clear cue word or hand signal
A reward the dog cares about
Practice in short sessions
Gradual increase in distractions
Repetition over many days, not one long lesson

Equipment You May Need

You do not need a giant pile of gear to teach basic obedience. Most families can start with a few essentials.

Basic Equipment

Flat collar or harness — for identification and control
Standard leash — usually 4 to 6 feet for practice walks and control
Treat pouch or rewards — to reinforce correct behavior
Clicker — optional, but useful for marking exact behavior timing
Favorite toy — especially helpful for fetch, get it, or reward-based practice
Quiet training space — not equipment, but just as important

How to Teach Commands Step by Step

Many commands follow the same pattern:

Get the dog’s attention.
Cue the behavior with a word, signal, or lure.
Reward the correct response immediately.
Repeat a few times.
Stop before the dog gets frustrated or tired.

For example, you can teach sit by moving a treat slowly above the dog’s nose so the head goes up and the rear drops down. The moment the dog sits, reward it. With come, you start at close range, use a happy tone, and reward the dog heavily for returning.

Practice the Commands in Real Life

The commands in this requirement all have practical value. Come improves safety. Stay creates control at doors or curbs. Drop it can prevent swallowing something dangerous. Heel makes walks safer and calmer. Fetch and get it can become useful games that also build focus.

Before You Demonstrate Three Commands

Set yourself and your dog up for success

Choose commands your dog already understands fairly well. This is not the time to gamble on brand-new skills.
Practice in a low-distraction space first. Quiet success beats flashy failure.
Use rewards your dog values. Tiny treats, praise, or toys can all work.
Keep your cues consistent. One word should mean one behavior.
End on a win. Finish with success so the dog stays confident.

Both official videos below show common commands and ways to teach them clearly.

10 Most Basic Commands Every Dog Owner Should Know (video)

How to Teach Your Dog the Basics (video)

Training Is a Daily Habit

In Req 4, you tracked daily routines. Obedience fits right into that same pattern. Dogs learn best when training is woven into ordinary life: before meals, during walks, at the door, and in short practice sessions throughout the week.

Next you will shift from behavior training to health care, starting with one of the most important preventive tools of all: vaccinations.