Obedience training is the foundation of a safe, enjoyable dog. True obedience means reliable responses in real-world conditions — at the park, near other dogs, around children — not just in a quiet room. This guide takes you from foundational skills through real-world proofing.
Core Obedience Exercises
Every dog needs: reliable sit, down, stay (distance and duration), recall (come), loose leash walking, and leave it. See our Basic Commands Guide for step-by-step instructions on each.
The 3 Ds of Proofing
Distance, Duration, Distraction — the three variables that define real-world reliability. Add them one at a time. Can your dog hold a 30-second stay while you walk 10 feet away? Can they do it with a squirrel running by? Build each D independently before combining.
Training Schedule
Two 10-minute sessions daily. One weekly field trip to a new location for proofing. Ask for trained behaviors in real-life moments (sit before meals, wait at doors). Random rewards for well-known behaviors maintain them long-term.
Transition to variable reinforcement once behaviors are solid — reward randomly, not every time. This actually strengthens behaviors. Never stop rewarding entirely — occasional random rewards maintain behavior throughout your dog's life.