Real‑World Examples of Obedience Training Exercises for Dogs

Everyday examples of obedience training exercises for dogs

Before we talk theory, let’s walk through some real examples of obedience training exercises for dogs you can start using immediately. Think of these as mini routines you can plug into your day rather than long, formal sessions.

1. Sit and Wait at Mealtime

One classic example of obedience training is teaching your dog to sit and wait before eating. It’s simple, but it does a lot: impulse control, focus, and good manners.

You fill the bowl. Your dog is probably bouncing or pacing. Instead of just putting it down, ask for a sit. If your dog doesn’t know sit yet, lure their nose up with a piece of kibble until their rear hits the floor, then say “sit” and reward. Once they sit, lower the bowl. If they pop up, the bowl goes back up. Bowl down when butt is on the floor. Over a few days, your dog learns: sitting calmly makes food happen.

This is a perfect example of obedience training you can stack onto something you already do twice a day.

2. Doorway Manners: Sit, Stay, Release

Another useful example of obedience training exercises for dogs is the doorway routine. Instead of your dog rocketing through every open door, you teach a pause.

Walk to the door with your dog on leash. Ask for a sit. Put your hand on the doorknob. If your dog stands or surges forward, release the knob and reset. When they can hold the sit, crack the door open an inch. Reward if they stay seated. Gradually open the door wider. Add a stay cue once they’re getting the idea, and then a release word like “OK” or “Free.”

This turns a chaotic, potentially dangerous moment (dog bolting into the street) into a calm, predictable habit.

3. Name Game for Focus

Focus is the root of almost all good obedience. A simple example of an obedience exercise: the name game.

Say your dog’s name once. The split second they flick their eyes toward you, mark it (with a clicker or a word like “yes!”) and give a treat. Don’t repeat the name over and over. Name once, reward eye contact. Practice in the kitchen, hallway, backyard. Then gradually add mild distractions.

You’re teaching: Hearing my name means look at my human. That one skill makes every other cue easier.

The best examples of obedience training for real life

Let’s go deeper into some of the best examples of obedience training exercises for dogs that actually change day-to-day behavior, not just show off tricks.

Loose-Leash Walking Without the Tug-of-War

If you only pick one example of obedience training to work on this month, make it leash manners. Constant pulling is frustrating for you and physically stressful for your dog’s neck and joints.

Start in a low-distraction area, like your hallway or backyard. Hold the leash so there’s a relaxed “J” shape. Take one step. If your dog stays beside you and the leash stays loose, mark and treat by your thigh. If they surge ahead and tighten the leash, stop. Don’t yank—just become a tree. When your dog glances back or steps toward you, mark, treat, and move forward again.

You’re teaching a very clear rule: Pulling makes the walk stop; walking near you makes the walk move and earns rewards. This is one of the best examples of obedience training exercises for dogs that directly improves your quality of life.

Modern training trends in 2024–2025 favor this reward-based approach over old-school leash pops. Organizations like the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) support positive reinforcement as the preferred method for teaching obedience behaviors: https://avsab.org/resources/position-statements/

Reliable Recall: “Come” Under Pressure

A solid recall is a safety behavior, not just a party trick. Here’s a practical example of obedience training for recall that goes beyond calling your dog once and hoping.

Start indoors. Say your recall word (like “Come!” or “Here!”) in a happy voice, then immediately show your dog something amazing—chicken, a favorite toy, a tiny tug session. Let them reach you, then reward like they just won the lottery. Don’t use recall to end all fun (like only calling them when it’s time to leave the park). Mix in “fake” recalls: call, reward, and send them back to play.

As they improve, add distance and mild distractions. Practice in a fenced yard, then on a long line in a quiet park. This staged approach is a real example of how obedience training exercises for dogs should progress: easy first, then gradually harder.

Place/Mat Training for Calm

If your dog explodes with excitement when guests arrive or when you cook, place or mat training is one of the best examples of obedience training exercises for dogs that need help with self-control.

Pick a mat or dog bed. Stand next to it with your dog. Lure or guide them onto the mat. The moment all four paws are on, mark and reward. Toss the treat off the mat so they leave, then wait. Most dogs will wander back onto the mat—mark and reward again. Add a cue like “Place” once they’re clearly choosing the mat.

Over time, start rewarding only when they lie down on the mat. Then add real-life triggers: ask your dog to go to their mat when you sit to eat, when you start cooking, or when a friend steps inside. This exercise gives your dog a clear job: When the world gets busy, go to your mat and relax.

More real examples of obedience training exercises for dogs

So far we’ve hit the big everyday skills. Let’s add a few more targeted examples of obedience training exercises for dogs that round out your routine.

Impulse Control Games: “Leave It” and “Take It”

Impulse control is just your dog learning, “I can want something and still choose to wait.” Two classic examples include leave it and take it.

For leave it, hold a treat in your closed fist. Let your dog sniff, lick, paw—just wait. The instant they back their nose away or pause, mark and give them a different treat from your other hand. Once they’re consistently backing off, add the words “Leave it” right before you present your closed fist.

For take it, hold a treat and wait for your dog to sit or stand calmly. Say “Take it” and offer the treat. Alternate between leave it and take it so your dog learns that listening to the words matters. This kind of impulse control work is one of the clearest examples of obedience training exercises for dogs that struggle with snatching food, toys, or even things off the ground during walks.

Handling and Grooming Practice

Obedience isn’t just sit and stay. Cooperative handling is a big deal, especially for vet visits.

Start by pairing gentle touches with treats. Touch a paw, then treat. Lift an ear flap, then treat. Briefly open your dog’s mouth, then treat. Keep it short and sweet. Over time, you can practice mock vet exams: checking paws, ears, tail, and body while rewarding calm behavior.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has guidance on low-stress handling and why it matters for both safety and welfare: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/behavior-guidelines

This is a quieter example of obedience training, but one that pays off when your dog needs nail trims, ear cleaning, or medical care.

Stay with Distance and Distraction

A solid stay is like a pause button. A real-world example of obedience training: teaching your dog to hold a stay while you step away to grab a package, answer the door, or pick up something you dropped.

Start with your dog in a sit or down. Say “Stay,” hold your hand up like a stop sign, count to one, then step back in, mark, and reward. Gradually add a step back, then two, then turn your back for a second. Always return to your dog to reward; don’t call them out of the stay at first. Later, you can release with your chosen word.

Add simple distractions: set a toy on the floor, walk around them, or have a family member move in the background. This is one of the best examples of obedience training exercises for dogs who get overly excited or anxious when you move away.

Building a routine from these examples

Now that you’ve seen multiple real examples of obedience training exercises for dogs, let’s talk about how to organize them into something sustainable.

Short Sessions, Many Reps

Dogs learn better with short, frequent sessions than with one long marathon. Think 3–5 minutes, 2–4 times a day. You might:

• Work on sit and wait at mealtime.
• Practice the name game in the hallway.
• Do a few reps of place/mat while you watch TV.
• Add two minutes of leash work at the start of every walk.

Modern research in learning and behavior supports this bite-sized approach. The American Kennel Club (AKC) also recommends positive, short training sessions for better retention and less frustration: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/

Adjusting for Age, Breed, and Energy

A teenage herding dog and a senior toy breed are not going to learn at the same speed or need the same intensity.

• Puppies: Focus on socialization, name recognition, simple sits, short recalls, and gentle handling. Keep sessions very short and fun.
• Adult dogs: You can push a bit more on distractions, duration of stays, and leash manners.
• Seniors: Keep things low-impact—mat training, gentle recalls, nose work games, and simple sits or downs if they’re physically comfortable.

If you ever have concerns about your dog’s physical ability to perform certain exercises (for example, repeated sits with a dog who may have joint issues), your veterinarian can help you tailor exercises. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) offers information on orthopedic issues that can affect training: https://www.acvs.org/small-animal

Positive Reinforcement: The 2024–2025 Standard

In 2024–2025, the trend in dog training is very clear: reward what you like, manage what you don’t, and avoid harsh punishment. Organizations like AVSAB and many veterinary behaviorists strongly caution against methods that rely on fear or pain.

That doesn’t mean you let your dog do whatever they want. It means you:

• Set up the environment so the right choice is easy.
• Reward generously for behaviors you want repeated.
• Use clear, consistent cues.
• Interrupt unsafe behavior calmly and redirect.

Every example of obedience training in this article can be done with treats, toys, praise, or life rewards (like going outside or getting to greet a friend). You don’t need to intimidate your dog to teach good manners.

FAQ: Common questions about obedience training exercises

What are some basic examples of obedience training exercises for dogs?

Basic examples include sit, down, stay, recall (come when called), loose-leash walking, and simple impulse control like leave it and wait at the door or before meals. These give you a shared language with your dog and make everyday life smoother.

Can you give an example of obedience training for a very energetic dog?

A great example of obedience training for high-energy dogs is combining place/mat training with short bursts of fetch or tug. Ask for a sit, then send your dog to their mat, reward, release to a quick game, then back to the mat. This pattern teaches them to switch between excitement and calm on cue.

How often should I practice these examples of obedience training exercises for dogs?

Aim for a few minutes, a few times a day. Use natural breaks in your routine—before walks, at mealtime, when guests arrive—to practice. Consistency matters more than marathon sessions.

Are treats always necessary for these obedience exercises?

Treats are extremely helpful when you’re teaching new behaviors because they’re clear, fast rewards. Over time, you can fade food and rely more on praise, toys, and real-life rewards like opening the door, unclipping the leash to let your dog sniff, or inviting them onto the couch. But even well-trained dogs benefit from occasional surprise treats to keep behaviors strong.

Where can I learn more examples of obedience training and behavior tips?

Look for certified trainers who use positive reinforcement methods, and check resources from veterinary and behavior organizations. The AVSAB, AVMA, and AKC all publish training and behavior articles that align with current science and welfare standards.

If you treat these examples of obedience training exercises for dogs as small habits instead of big projects, you’ll be amazed at how much your dog’s behavior shifts over a few weeks. Pick two or three to start, keep sessions short and upbeat, and watch your dog start to understand exactly what you’re asking—and actually enjoy doing it.