7 Life-Saving Dog Commands 

This article was written in collaboration with Rover, and approved by Lemonade’s favorite Vet Dr. Stephanie Liff. 

Picture this: you’re at the dog park when your pup spots something interesting across the busy street. Without the right training, that moment of curiosity could turn dangerous, fast.

Basic commands aren’t just about having a well-behaved dog (though that’s nice too). They’re about keeping your furry friend safe from harm and potentially saving you thousands in emergency vet bills. For new dog owners especially, mastering these essential commands can be the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

Ready to give your dog the tools they need to stay safe? Let’s dig into the life-saving commands every dog parent should know.

1. Stay, wait

This might be the most important command your dog learns. “Stay” or “wait” teaches impulse control and can prevent your dog from bolting into dangerous situations.

Dogs naturally want to rush toward exciting things like other dogs, food, and open doors. The stay command gives you control over when they move, preventing them from running into traffic, approaching aggressive animals, or escaping through an open gate.

Dogs without solid impulse control are more likely to be hit by cars, get into dog fights, or become lost. Emergency room visits for trauma injuries can cost thousands of dollars, especially if surgery is required.

Teaching this command starts with basic dog training. Have your dog sit, then use a hand signal (palm facing them) while saying “stay.” Start with just a few seconds, then gradually increase the duration.

Nicole Ellis, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) on Rover’s Pet People Panel, emphasizes the importance of making this command stick:

“Every time you go back to reward your dog for holding a stay, you’re not just teaching patience—you’re building the habit that could one day save their life. 

I always remind clients: reward often by going to them with the reward and not breaking that stay. Make staying just as exciting as moving—because that’s how the behavior sticks. Practice this lots and it will pay off.”

– Nicole Ellis (CPDT-KA)

2. Come, recall

A reliable recall command can literally save your dog’s life by getting them away from danger immediately.

Whether your dog has wandered toward a busy street, spotted something toxic on the ground, or encountered an aggressive animal, “come” gets them back to safety fast. This is especially crucial for off-leash situations or if your dog ever escapes.

Dogs who don’t respond to recall are at risk of poisoning (from eating harmful substances), getting lost, or being injured by other animals or cars. Emergency poisoning treatment alone can cost several thousand dollars, not counting search and rescue efforts if they go missing.

Make this command irresistible by using positive reinforcement. Always reward with their favorite toy or high-value treats when they come to you, no matter what they were doing before. Ellis recommends practicing constantly: “Practice this everywhere and anywhere. A treat in your pocket is an opportunity to practice a recall anytime, especially in different rooms of your house.”

And Dr. Liff has seen first hand how recall can prevent emergencies: 

“As an urban vet, most of my patients spend their time on leash, but when they’re at the dog park or in off-leash settings, a solid recall can make all the difference between a fun play session and a scary situation. If your dog comes when called, they’ll stay out of trouble. No running into traffic, eating something toxic, or getting pulled into a dog fight.”

– Dr. Stephanie Liff

3. Leave it

This command stops your dog from investigating potentially dangerous (or disgusting) objects.

Dogs explore the world with their mouths, which means they’re constantly tempted to pick up harmful things. “Leave it” prevents them from grabbing toxic foods (like chocolate or grapes), medications, dead animals, sharp objects, or other dogs’ toys that might cause conflicts.

Ingesting toxic substances is one of the most common pet emergencies. Treatment costs vary widely, from hundreds for minor incidents to several thousand for severe poisoning cases requiring overnight monitoring and intensive care. 

Dr. Liff considers this command essential for prevention. ”’Leave it’ is the first command I encourage people to teach once puppies start going outside. There’s so much debris and tempting stuff out there, and even at home, when you drop something and can’t reach it fast enough.” 

Start dog training with this command by holding a treat in your closed fist. When your dog stops trying to get the treat and looks at you, say “leave it” and reward, with a different treat.

Ellis stresses the importance of proper reward technique: 

“When I teach ‘leave it,’ I never reward with the item itself. The power of this cue is in showing your dog that ignoring temptation leads to something better—and that kind of impulse control can literally keep them safe.

By creating a habit of rewarding not only with a different item, but with a better one, we make the ‘leave it’ behavior even stronger. The more we practice this the less concern we will have when our dog faces something dangerous on the ground.”

– Nicole Ellis (CPDT-KA)

4. Drop it

When “leave it” fails and your dog has already grabbed something they shouldn’t, “drop it” becomes your emergency backup.

Sometimes dogs are faster than our commands. If they’ve already picked up something potentially harmful like a chicken bone, a sock, medication, or a dead animal, “drop it” forces them to release it before swallowing.

Foreign object ingestion leads to emergency surgery in many cases. Intestinal blockages require immediate intervention and can cost thousands of dollars to treat. Even worse, some objects can cause choking or internal damage. Dr. Liff emphasizes just how critical this moment can be:

“’Drop it’ is just as crucial as ‘leave it’, it’s your backup plan when your dog is faster than your voice. Once they’ve grabbed something dangerous, this command can prevent serious foreign body ingestions or toxin ingestions. 

The difference between a close call and an emergency surgery often comes down to whether your dog will actually let go when you ask them to.” 

– Dr. Stephanie Liff

Practice this command during training sessions with safe objects like their favorite toy. Trade them something even better when they drop it, so they learn that letting go leads to good things.

5. Stop, freeze

This emergency command brings your dog to an immediate halt, no matter what they’re doing or where they are.

“Stop” or “freeze” is your panic button for sudden dangers—broken glass on the ground, a snake in the path, or any situation where one more step could mean injury. It’s different from “stay” because it works even when your dog is moving or distracted.

Dogs who can’t stop on command might step on sharp objects, encounter venomous snakes, or walk into other hazards. Paw injuries from glass or debris can require stitches and antibiotics, while snake bites can be life-threatening emergencies requiring expensive antivenom treatment.

Teaching this command requires consistent practice in various environments. Start indoors with your dog walking toward you, say “stop” in a firm voice, and reward when they freeze in place.

Ellis provides specific training guidance:

“To teach an emergency stop, start close to your dog and begin by pairing the ‘stop’ cue and a clear hand signal with a treat tossed behind your dog. As they reliably halt and turn back for the reward slowly add distance and then transition to walking over and delivering the treat directly. Continue to gradually increase the distance before rewarding, then practice in new environments and around distractions to build reliability. Always use a long leash for safety while training in open spaces.”

– Nicole Ellis (CPDT-KA)

6. Down, stay

The down command creates calm, controlled behavior and can defuse potentially dangerous situations.

An excited or reactive dog can escalate conflicts with other dogs or accidentally harm people. The lie down command forces them into a submissive, relaxed position that reduces tension and prevents jumping on elderly people, small children, or nervous dogs.

Overly excited dogs can knock people down (especially dangerous for kids and seniors), trigger fights with other dogs, or create situations where they might be injured in retaliation. Even minor bite incidents often require medical attention and can result in behavioral evaluations.

This basic command builds on the sit command. Guide your dog into the lying down position using a treat, keeping their attention focused on you throughout the training process.

Dr. Liff explains the broader safety benefits:

“A dog with a rock-solid stay is just safer, period. It helps manage their anxiety when visitors come over, keeps them calm in public when other dogs are getting worked up, and lets you handle everyday tasks without your dog pulling you around. Trust me, you’ll appreciate it when you’re trying to juggle a poop bag and your morning coffee on a walk.”

– Dr. Stephanie Liff

7. Back up, give space

Teaching your dog to step back on command creates crucial distance in crowded or tense situations.

Resource guarding, crowded spaces, and overwhelming social situations can trigger conflicts. “Back up” gives your dog (and others) breathing room, preventing confrontations before they escalate.

Dogs who don’t understand spatial boundaries are more likely to be involved in bite incidents, either as the aggressor or victim. They might also become stressed in crowded environments, leading to behavioral issues that require professional intervention.

Practice this command by walking toward your dog while saying “back up” and using a gentle hand signal. Reward when they take steps backward, gradually increasing the distance.

Ellis frames this as an empowerment tool:

“When I teach ‘back up,’ I remind owners it’s more than a trick—it’s a way to give your dog the tools to handle pressure. By rewarding calm steps backward, you’re teaching them that creating space is safe, positive, and always worth it. Once your dog is starting to understand it begin to practice with objects and out and about.”

– Nicole Ellis (CPDT-KA)

But training can only get you so far

Even dogs who’ve mastered every essential command can still find themselves in dangerous situations. And when they do, vet bills can be stressful and put an unexpected drain on your wallet. Luckily for responsible dog owners, Lemonade pet insurance can help take a bite out of vet bills for those unexpected emergencies.

Lemonade’s pet insurance provides coverage for diagnostics, treatments, and medications for any eligible injuries your furry friend might sustain, whether they ignored a “leave it” command or got hurt despite perfect obedience training. You can even customize your policy to get coverage for things like visit fees and behavioral therapy sessions.

If your dog gets injured despite your best dog training efforts, just head to any state-licensed vet for the diagnostics, treatments, and meds they need to recover. Filing a claim with Lemonade couldn’t be easier. Just open the Lemonade app, upload the vet invoice or receipt, and include your pet’s medical records or notes from the visit. If your claim’s approved, the reimbursement goes straight to your bank account. Even better? Over 50% of Lemonade pet claims are processed instantly, and 80% are resolved within just five days.

So whether your well-trained Border Collie tears their ACL during an enthusiastic recall, or your obedient Beagle gets bitten by another dog despite perfect “back up” form, we’ve got you covered.

Quick training tips for success

• Start with one command at a time: Don’t overwhelm yourself or your dog by trying to teach all these essential commands simultaneously. Master one before moving to the next.
• Practice in different environments: A command that works perfectly in your living room needs to work at the dog park, on busy streets, and around distractions. Gradually increase the difficulty of your training sessions.
• Use positive reinforcement consistently: Reward the desired behavior immediately with treats, praise, or their favorite toy. This makes learning faster and more enjoyable for both of you.
• Keep training sessions short but frequent: Dogs learn better with multiple brief sessions throughout the day rather than one long training marathon.
• Be patient with the training process: Some dogs learn faster than others, and that’s completely normal. Consistency matters more than speed when it comes to building reliable obedience training habits.
• Practice emergency scenarios safely: Once your dog knows the basic commands, practice them in controlled “emergency” situations. Have a friend help simulate distractions while you work on recall, or practice “stop” when your dog is excited about their favorite toy.

Before we go…

These essential commands form the foundation of keeping your dog safe in an unpredictable world. While no amount of dog training can prevent every possible mishap, teaching these basic dog commands gives both you and your pet the tools to handle dangerous situations before they become disasters.

And while you’re building these life-saving skills, consider protecting your pet from the unexpected costs that can come with emergency situations. After all, the best dog training in the world works even better when you know you’re prepared for whatever comes next. Get a quote today.

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.