Properly training your dog not only helps make them safer, it also boosts their confidence, reduces anxiety, and builds a stronger bond between you. This list includes six essential commands that’ll lay a solid foundation for your dog’s lifelong well-being. We know it’s hard to believe, but “Don’t eat that!” and “Get off the table!” don’t make the list.
Grisha Stewart is an internationally recognized dog trainer, author, and speaker whose methods have become a standard in force-free dog training. Grisha gave Wilderdog an insider peak at her online course, “How Solid is Your Foundation? Essential Dog Training Skills & Theory,” so that we could share her 6 must-know training cue words with you:
1. Name
What’s a dog without a name? Use your dog’s name to get their attention or call them over for belly rubs (obviously). You can also use a hand signal or a gentle tap to get your dog’s attention in noisy places or for pups who respond better to visual or touch cues.
2. Touch
“Touch” asks your dog to bump their nose to a target like your hand. This simple cue can help redirect, refocus, or settle an anxious pup. Grisha notes it’s especially helpful for recall and guiding your dog into position, like moving them into a crate lined with their favorite blanket. “It helps prevent aggression because it’s the animal’s idea to do the moving,” she explains.
3. Wait
A faster way of saying, “Hold it right there, Fido,” the “wait” cue tells your dog to hold position, whether at a doorway, in the car, at their food bowl, or behind a boundary until you give the go-ahead. “It’s definitely a life-saver,” Grisha says. This cue is key for building impulse control and keeping your dog safe in unpredictable situations.
4. Release Cue
Words like “free,” “okay,” and “finished,” are common release cues that are taught alongside stationary hold cues, like “wait” and “stay.” Your release cue tells your dog that they’re free to move about the metaphorical cabin.
5. Stationing
These cues, like “place” or “bed”, ask your dog to go to a designated spot and stay there until released. They are helpful for keeping your dog calm and out of trouble during busy or chaotic moments “like [when] guests are coming through the door and you don’t want your dog to jump on them,” Grisha says. Whether it's their bed in the living room or their sleeping bag when out on the trail, stationing helps create structure and minimize stress for both you and your dog.
6. End of Session Cue
Some variation of “all done” with a hand signal lets your dog know that the activity, whether it’s training or a round of fetch, is officially over. This cue helps avoid confusion and teaches your dog to settle down after fun or focused time together. It’s especially handy after high-energy games with their Fetch Balls because even the best play sessions have to end. (For now!)
Mastering these six essential cues lays the groundwork for a happier, more confident dog and a stronger, more connected relationship between you and your pup. As you work through training sessions, consistency, patience, and the right tools can make all the difference. Our Training Treat Pouches are perfect for keeping treats within reach, so you can reinforce good behavior in the moment. Whether you're at home or out on the trail, having the right gear helps turn everyday moments into training opportunities.
