New to positive reinforcement training? This one-page reference card covers the seven foundation commands every dog needs — what each cue means, the basic luring method, and the most common mistake to avoid. Print it, fold it in thirds, and keep it in your treat bag until the sequence becomes second nature.
7 Foundation Commands — Quick Reference Card
dogguidediary.com — free printableSit
Hold a treat at nose height, then slowly move it back over the dog’s head. Hips drop naturally — mark and reward the instant they hit the floor.
Lure: nose up and back
⚠ Don’t repeat the cue — say “Sit” once, then wait.
Stay
Ask for Sit, pause one second, then reward in position. Build duration before adding distance. Return to the dog to reward — don’t call them to you at first.
Add hand signal: open palm toward dog
⚠ Too much distance too fast is the #1 stay-training mistake.
Come
Use a happy, high-pitched recall cue. Crouch down, back up, or run away — motion makes it a game. Reward generously every single time.
Never punish a dog for coming to you, even if it took a long time.
⚠ Calling to end something fun = recall becomes a bad prediction.
Down
From a sit, lure the nose slowly down between the front paws, then forward along the floor. Elbows touch — mark and reward.
Lure: nose to floor, then forward
⚠ Don’t push down on the shoulders — it creates resistance.
Leave It
Cover a treat in your fist. Dog sniffs/paws — wait. The moment they back off or look away, mark and give a different treat from the other hand.
Phase 2: treat on the floor, foot covers it
⚠ Never give the leave-it treat itself as the reward.
Heel
Reward the dog frequently for being at your left hip. Treat from your left hand. Change direction often and reward check-ins — eye contact and position together.
Start at home, then on low-distraction walks
⚠ Stop walking the instant leash pressure starts — every step forward is a reward.
Wait — threshold control
Ask dog to pause at doors, before meals, before getting out of the car. Use a release word (“OK” or “free”) so the dog learns the difference between Stay (hold until recalled) and Wait (hold until released with cue).
Body block the threshold. Release cue = permission to move.
⚠ Inconsistent release words erode Wait faster than any other mistake. Pick one and stick with it.
Training Notes
- Session length: 2–3 minutes, 3–5 times per day beats one 20-minute session for new learners.
- End on success: if a session is going badly, ask for something easy the dog can definitely do, reward it, then stop.
- Fade lures quickly: most dogs can learn to respond to the hand signal alone after 5–10 repetitions. Luring too long slows learning.
- Variable reward schedule: once a cue is solid, reward 60–80% of responses rather than 100% — this builds resilience.
Ready to practice these commands on a schedule? See our Daily Dog Training Schedules for a week-by-week plan that introduces all seven commands in the right order.