An Owners Manual for:

T H E F I V E CO M M A N D S
E V E R Y DOG S H O U L D K N O W
by the

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

ABOUT THIS SERIES

At the AKC, we know better than anyone that your dog cant be treated like
a car or an appliance, but weve named
this series An Owners Manual because sometimes you probably wish
your lovable companions came with
one.
These concise guides give you the tools,
tips, and direction to be a responsible
and confident dog owner who brings
out the best in your dog. Give them a
test drive!

A KC O W N E R S M A N UA L

The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

We probably dont need to tell you which commands

every well-behaved dog should be able to perform.
Or do we? Its OK, we get it.
The Basic 5 commands will give your puppy a
strong foundation for future training.
They are: Come, Heel, Sit, Stay, and Down

Istockphoto/Gettyimages.com

A KC O W N E R S M A N UA L

The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

Before we call your dog in, a word about your

approach. How your dog feels during training will
mean the difference between success and frustration.
Is he afraid of you? Eager to play this fun new game?
Hesitant or happy? Always be positive: Never scold or
punish him during training sessions. All youll do is
make him want to avoid you. Keeping it fun is the key!
Now were ready for your buddy.

A KC O W N E R S M A N UA L

The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

COME
This command could save your dogs life. Start indoors in a place without distractions. Squat down,
open your arms, say Come, then praise him as soon
as he starts moving toward you. Use an enthusiastic
tone so that coming to you seems like the most exciting thing he could possibly do.
Dont grab for the pup when he gets near you. Let him
walk up close, then reach out and gently rub his chest,
praising him the whole time. You may also give him a
treat.

Sealyham Terrier/Mary Bloom AKC

A KC O W N E R S M A N UA L

The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

If your puppy doesnt come to you, go

slowly to him, attach his leash, then
guide him to the spot where you called
him. Praise him the entire time youre
leading him. This shows him that he has
to obey, but that youre not angry with
him.

A KC O W N E R S M A N UA L

The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

HEEL
Some trainers prefer to say Lets go or Forward when they train this easy way of walking
together. Whatever command you choose, always
use the same word.
Start with your dog standing next to you. Hold
his leash in your left hand and a squeaky toy in
your right. Place your right arm across the front
of your body so the toy is above and slightly in
front of his head. Encourage him to look up at
the toy as you give the command and step forward with confidence. Your puppy should step
forward with you as he follows the toy.

Weimaraner/Mary Bloom AKC

A KC O W N E R S M A N UA L

The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

Keep his attention on the toy as you walk forward

together. If he gets distracted, squeak the toy, get his
attention, and praise him. After your puppy has given you about 20 seconds of attention, give him the
toy and play with him a bit, then try walking again.
Gradually increase the time you walk together during
your training sessions, then slowly stop using the toy.
Eventually your dog will walk happily at your side
whenever hes on his leash.

A KC O W N E R S M A N UA L

The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

SIT
There are two different ways to show your pal
what Sit means.
METHOD #1
Get down in front of your puppy, holding a
treat. Put it right in front of his nose, then say
Sit as you slowly lift the treat above his head.
He will probably sit as he lifts his head to nibble
at it. If he backs up instead, put your other hand
on his rump and gently guide him down into
a sitting position the first few times. Be sure to
praise himand give him the treatas soon as
he is sitting, even if he needed help.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel/Mary Bloom AKC

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The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

METHOD #2
Squat down next to the pup, place one
hand on his chest and the other just behind his rear legs. Say Sit as you apply
gentle upward pressure to his chest
and against his rear knees, guiding him
into a sitting position. As soon as he is
sitting, reward him!

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STAY
A puppy who knows the Stay command
will remain sitting until you let him get up by
giving him the release word. (Something like
OK! or Go.)
Begin with your dog sitting by your left side.
Keep the leash loose while you pivot around to face
him. Say Stay while holding the open
palm of your hand in front of his face. Take a
step or two away from your puppy, keeping the
leash loose. After a few seconds step back to him,
putting one foot on the leashdont pull it too
tight, just enough to keep him from jumping up.
Give your release word, then reward and
praise him.

Weimaraner/ Mary Bloom AKC

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If your puppy gets up before you release him, just

walk back calmly without saying anything. Use your
hands to put him back into the sit position, then give
the open-palm hand signal for Stay and walk away
again. Dont repeat the oral command; its important
that he learns to respond immediately to a single
verbal command.
You will gradually increase the distance between you.
You can also increase the time he remains in the stay:
Three minutes is a good goal to work toward.
If your puppy repeatedly breaks the stay, youre
going too fast.

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The Five Basic Commands Every Dog Should Know |

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DOWN
Begin with him sitting next to you on your left. Kneel
down and place your left hand on his shoulders. Put
your right hand just behind his front legs. Say Down
while pressing gently on the puppys shoulders; at the
same time, scoop his front legs out until he is lying
down. Stroke his back for a few seconds to encourage
him to relax and stay in that position. Then praise and
reward him.
Use your release word, let him get up, and praise him
again. Put him back into a sit, then repeat the down
command.

Bull Terrier/Mary Bloom AKC

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If your puppy is extremely shy or

fearful, he may freeze in place during
this exercise. If he is very playful, he may
squirm and not want to lie down.
In either case, try this method: Begin as
before, kneeling beside your sitting
puppy. Put your left hand on his shoulders while holding a treat in your right
hand in front of his face. Say Down and
slowly lower the treat straight down to
the floor between the dogs paws, then
slowly pull it straight out and away from
him. (Imagine making an L shape.)
Once hes down, praise him and
give him the treat.

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AND REMEMBER
n Train your puppy with mild oral correction
and lots of praise and rewards.
Keep training sessions short and fun.
End each session on a positive note.
n

The Basic 5 commands will give

your puppy a strong foundation for
any future training.
n

Gettyimages.com

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THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

WHO AND WHAT WE ARE:

The AKC is a not-for-profit organization and the largest
purebred dog registry in the world. We are the
sports-governing body for over 22,000 dog events a year,
including conformation (dog shows) and exciting sports like
agility, obedience, rally, tracking, lure coursing, earthdog,
herding trials, among others.

THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

But the AKC is so much more! Here are just some of the ways we support and enrich the lives of dogspurebreds and
mixed-breeds alikeand their families. We:

Created the AKC Humane Fund, which supports breed

donated over $24 million to the CHF. (The AKC is the only

rescue activities, assists shelters that permit domestic-abuse

registry that incorporates health-screening results into its per-

victims to bring their pets, and educates dog lovers about re-

manent dog records.)

sponsible dog ownership.

n
n

Offer the Canine Good Citizen program: A 10-step test

that certifies dogs who have good manners at home and in

Conduct thousands of kennel inspections annually to mon-

itor care and conditions at kennels across the country and

ensure the integrity of the AKC registry.

their community. Over 725,000 dogs across the United States

Offer the largest, most comprehensive set of DNA programs

have become Canine Good Citizens , and 42 states have passed

resolutions recognizing the programs merit and importance.

for parentage verification and genetic identity to ensure reliable registration records.

Founded AKC Reunite, which has brought more than 400,000

lost pets back together with their owners.

Support one of the worlds largest collections of dog-related

fine art and artifacts at the AKC Museum of the Dog, and we
n

Created the AKC Canine Health Foundation, which funds

research projects and clinical studies. Since 1995 the AKC has

have the worlds largest dog library at AKC headquarters in

New York, both of which are open to the public.

THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

THANK YOU FOR READING!
We hope this information was valuable to you in helping your puppy live a long, healthy, happy life. Below, find additional
books in our Owners Manual series designed to strengthen the bond between you and your furry family member.

THE FIVE COMMANDS

EVERY DOG SHOULD
KNOW

CRATE TRAINING

PUPPY FOOD
& NUTRITION

PUPPY
SOCIALIZATION

WHY DOES MY DOG DO

THAT?

WHATS HE THINKING?

10 ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
CGC TEST ITEMS

FIVE TRICKS YOULL

WANT TO SHOW OFF

THE ALL-PURPOSE
GROOMING TOOL KIT

TOOTH-BRUSHING: WHY
TO DO IT, AND HOW

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR
PET GOES MISSING

WHAT ARE ALL THESE

VACCINES?