Some dog training tips are optional. These aren’t.
Every puppy is different. Some are bold. Some are cautious. Some are naturally attentive, others... not so much. But no matter your puppy’s temperament, there are three commands that every dog should know before they reach adulthood:
Come. Drop it. Wait.
These aren’t for show. These are for the moments you can’t predict. The moments that could turn into panic, danger—or worse—if your dog doesn’t listen.
You might be wondering why "sit" or "stay" didn’t make the cut. It’s not that those aren’t useful—they absolutely are. But the commands we’ve included here are the ones most likely to prevent injury, avoid disaster, and protect your dog in unpredictable real-world situations.
"Sit" won’t help if your dog just grabbed a chicken wing off the sidewalk. "Heel" is great for control, but if your leash snaps, it’s recall that saves the day.
These three are non-negotiables—the skills that buy you time, bring your dog back to safety, and give you control when it matters most.
Scenario: You’re in your front yard. The mail carrier opens the gate without latching it. Your puppy sees a squirrel and bolts. You yell, “Come!”
Do they freeze? Do they turn and sprint back? Or do they chase the squirrel across the street?
How to Start:
Pro Tip: Avoid using your recall command to call your pup for something the don't like (like leaving the park when they want to keep playing catch). Make “come” a cue that always leads to something good.
Scenario: You’re at the park. Your puppy scoops up something strange. You can’t see what it is—but they’re chewing fast.
Could be food. Could be toxic. Could be dangerous.
“Drop it.”
How to Start:
Common Pitfall: Turning it into a game. If you chase your dog while yelling, they learn to run faster, not drop sooner. Stay calm, use your cue, and trade consistently.
Teaching this early could save you from emergency vet visits—or worse.
Scenario: You open the car door. Your puppy lunges to jump out, but a car is speeding by.
“Wait.”
They pause. You clip the leash. Crisis averted.
Wait is the calmest of the three commands — and one of the most powerful, and often overlooked. It teaches your dog to pause before acting. That moment of hesitation builds impulse control, prevents accidents, and gives you a critical second to assess or intervene.
How to Start:
You don’t need a training session to reinforce these. Look for daily touchpoints:
Consistency + timing > intensity. Think micro-moments, not 30-minute bootcamps.
Training isn’t about perfection—it’s about preparedness and consistency.
You don’t need a perfectly behaved dog. You need a dog who knows what to do when the world gets unpredictable.
Start with these three. Practice often. Praise big. Keep it light, keep it consistent, and remember: your calm presence is half the training.
Because one day, these commands might save your dog’s life.
Don’t miss the 🔗 Puppy 101 Series. If you have a puppy, the time spent reading through it will be well worth it. Even if you’ve raised a puppy before — even if you know what you’re doing — you’ll find tips that save you sanity, and probably money.
