Dog obedience training, in the right order
Which commands to teach first, which build on which, and how to know when to move on.

“Obedience” sounds old fashioned, but the skills are what make life with a dog easy: coming when called, waiting at the door, walking calmly, leaving the chicken bone on the sidewalk. Here’s a sensible order, the one the Pawfessor app follows.
Part 1: the foundation
- Marker word: the “yes!” that makes everything faster.
- Name recognition: attention on cue.
- Sit: the dog’s “please”.
- Down: the start of settling.
- Stay: patience, built a second at a time.
- Touch: a hand target to move your dog anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 7 basic dog commands?
A common list is sit, down, stay, come, leave it, off and heel. We add a marker word and name recognition first, because they make the rest easier.
How many commands should I teach at once?
One or two new skills at a time, while practicing the ones your dog already knows.
Pawfessor programs for this
Keep reading
How to train your dog at home
A practical guide to training your dog at home: what you need, where to practice, a day by day first week plan and how to keep going.
A daily dog training routine that fits real life
How often and how long to train your dog, a sample daily training routine and a weekly schedule for beginners, puppies and busy owners.
Clicker training for dogs
What clicker training is, how to charge a clicker, how to use it to teach new behaviors and common mistakes. Works with a phone clicker too.



