Dog Obedience Training: Commands Every Tulsa Dog Should Know

Tulsa is quickly becoming one of Oklahoma’s most dog-friendly cities. We see it every day: leashed pups at outdoor cafes on Cherry Street, dogs trailing their families along the River Parks Trail, and furry visitors exploring the Gathering Place.

Alongside these opportunities, responsible dog ownership is more important than ever. Unfortunately, Oklahoma ranks very low in dog obedience, with just 8 percent of dog owners reportedly taking their dogs to obedience classes, according to an article in the Southwest Ledger.

At Your Dog’s Best Days, we’re on a mission to change this reality in Tulsa and the surrounding areas. With over 10 years of professional dog training experience, we’ll tell you now that obedience isn’t innate — it’s learned, nurtured, and practiced.

As our city grows more pet-centric, teaching core commands is a key first step toward a harmonious life together.

The Importance of Dog Training

When you adopt a dog, whether from a shelter or a breeder, you’ve got a lot of work to do to refine the behavior.

Obedience training sets the foundation for a dog’s demeanor, both at home and in public. It’s not just about following orders — it’s about building confidence, good habits, communication, and mutual respect.

Preventing Unwanted Behaviors

Basic training helps prevent problem behaviors before they start.

Commands like “leave it” can stop a dog from lunging after a squirrel on Riverside Drive or chewing on a couch cushion or a pair of shoes at home. When dogs understand what’s expected of them, families have fewer frustrations and risky moments.

Building Stronger Bonds

Dogs look to their owners for guidance and affirmation as they develop training skills, helping anxious or overly-reactive pets have confidence in new (and sometimes scary) environments, like busy downtown streets or crowded festivals.

Keep in mind, dog obedience isn’t just about training your dog; it’s also training you as an owner. Learning together strengthens the relationship between you and your dog.

Training sessions are quality time, and success in the class builds a sense of trust and comfort for your dog.

Supporting the Community

Obedient dogs contribute to a safe, pleasant neighborhood.

They are less likely to run off, startle children, or get into conflicts with other animals and humans. This shared standard across the community creates a better experience for everyone, and it’s our core mission at Your Dog’s Best Days.

3 Core Commands Every Well-Trained Dog Should Know

Having a well-trained dog doesn’t happen overnight.

Let’s start with the basics. A few simple commands go a long way. Mastering these basics sets your dog up for success at home and around town.

Sit and Stay

“Sit” is one of the first commands and training skills most dogs learn, creating a foundation for calm greetings and impulse control.

The “stay” command builds on that focus in dog training, teaching the dog to wait for permission to make the next move. This is especially useful when the doorbell rings or your group is waiting to cross a busy intersection.

Coming When Called

A reliable recall is extremely important, especially in open spaces or off-leash parks, like Joe Station Dog Park.

Teaching “come” means your dog will return to you even when distractions — like other dogs, water features, or kids passing by — are all around. Good recall in dogs gives peace of mind during outdoor adventures.

“Leave it” and “Drop it”

No dog owner wants their pet rooting through trash piles, picking up dead animals, or eating discarded food on the ground.

“Leave it” and “drop it” keep your dog out of trouble.

Whether it’s steering clear of trash on a walk or dropping a gross object, “leave it” and “drop it” cues protect both your dog and Tulsa’s shared spaces.

How to Teach Obedience Commands to Your Dog

Consistency is key for a well-trained dog. The experience should be rewarding, dignifying, and positive for the dog. Now, with over a decade of experience training dogs, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all method.

What matters most is patience and steady effort.

Consistency and Clear Cues

Obedience training shouldn’t leave your dog guessing, especially when they are a beginner. Use the same words and signs each time you give a command. Ask all family members to use the same cues. This avoids confusing your dog and speeds up the learning process.

Stick to short, simple commands so your dog can easily recognize and respond to them.

Practice commands in different situations, like indoors, outdoors, and during walks, to reinforce their understanding.

Consistency across all the common routines helps your dog feel confident about what’s expected, making training smoother for everyone involved.

Using Rewards and Praise

Dogs learn best through positive reinforcement. When your dog follows a command, reward them with treats, affection, or play. In our experience, small but high-value treats (like bits of chicken or liver) work well for early training sessions.

Speak to your dog in a cheerful voice to provide praise and pets immediately after your dog performs the command. Mix up the rewards between treats, toys, and behind-the-ear scratches to keep your dog interested.

Keep treats small to avoid overfeeding during longer training sessions.

Consistent rewards do a lot to reinforce good behavior and motivate your dog to keep learning. Always praise your dog enthusiastically so they associate training with positive experiences.

Setting Realistic Goals

Just like humans, every dog learns at a different pace and needs certain degrees of positive reinforcement.

Break training into short, limited, focused sessions — this could be just five to ten minutes at a time — and practice in different locations. Start in a quiet room, then gradually add background noise or distractions like other pets, music, or the sounds of a busy Tulsa street.

When Should You Start Training Your Dog?

The sooner you start dog training, the better. When a dog has its first class learning obedience young, it’s easier to engrain good habits that last a lifetime.

According to the American Kennel Club, it’s recommended to start training a puppy at 3-5 months in puppy-oriented classes, where they will learn basic household commands and how to socialize with easy introductions.

After puppy classes, dogs are recommended to start basic classes at 5 months or older. In these classes, they will learn commands like sit, heel, stand, down, come, and stay.

Common Challenges for Tulsa Pet Owners

Every dog is different, and every owner faces unique challenges in the training process. Here are some common ones in Tulsa — and how to address them.

Managing Energy and Excitement

Many breeds and mixes have energy to spare – like German Shepherds, Jack Russell Terriers, Border Collies, and Australian Cattle Dogs.

Do your best to use structured dog training, play, and mental games to prevent boredom-driven mischief. Channeling energy into obedience tasks — like “find it” games with hidden treats — can help keep your dog’s mind engaged. 

Socializing with Other Dogs

Tulsa’s dog parks are popular, but not every dog is ready for off-leash play right away. Start by introducing your dog to one or two new canine friends in a quiet setting before working up to larger groups.

Controlled exposure to other dogs can prevent your pup from being overwhelmed by social stimulation. It also helps build confidence and proper social skills.

Adapting to Busy Urban Environments

City life means unpredictable sights and sounds, especially in places like Tulsa.

Gradually introduce your dog to new settings. This might include sidewalks, elevators, and traffic. Always reward calm, collected behavior. If your dog gets overwhelmed, retreat to a calmer place and try again later.

Local Resources for Dog Obedience Training

You don’t have to go it alone. Tulsa offers a strong network of dog trainers, classes, and community resources to help with every stage of your dog’s training journey.

Specialized Classes

Several Tulsa-based trainers offer group obedience classes for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. At Your Dog’s Best Days, our classes offered are:

• Puppy training fundamentals
• Obedience courses
• Service dog training for more advanced skills
• Training for anxious or aggressive dogs
• Group training

Community Dog Events

Events like “Deck the Paws” – hosted at The Gathering Place and canine fun runs are excellent ways to practice skills around other dogs and people, all in a friendly, supportive setting.

Local parks often host puppy socials and group walks —look on BringFido for more information on dog-related events in Tulsa.

Recommended Reading and Online Tools to Improve Training Skills

We love to recommend dog training books — like The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell — to help owners with training their dog. Additionally, there are tons of great positive reinforcement resources from organizations like the American Kennel Club and SICSA.org.

What’s the Next Step?

Obedience training can transform your dog’s behavior and make life better for everyone in Tulsa and beyond. Teaching core commands is the first step; continuing education and practice help your dog feel secure and welcome wherever you go together.

For more information on obedience training, improving your training skills, or anything else, visit Your Dog’s Best Days to learn more. Whether you need training, boarding, or daycare for your pup, we’ve got you covered. Send us a message to learn more.