January is National Train Your Dog Month, and it's the perfect time to get your pup up to speed on basic obedience commands. While training your dog can mean teaching them fun party tricks, most dog training is for practical purposes. Teaching your dog a few basic commands helps build their confidence, strengthens your relationship, and – most importantly – keeps them safe in dangerous situations. If you're new to dog training, it can be daunting to know where to start when there are seemingly endless possibilities of what you can teach your dog. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Read on to learn the 5 essential commands that every dog should know. Things You'll Need to Get Started Before you start training, it's important to have the right tools. Here are a few essentials: Training treats. These should be small, tasty treats that your dog will find irresistible. A dog treat bag (optional). A treat pouch or bag can help you keep treats handy while you’re training. A sturdy leash and collar. Make sure they fit your dog snugly and comfortably. A quiet, distraction-free environment. Pick a spot in your home that's relatively peaceful, like a spare bedroom or den. Patience and consistency. Your dog won't learn a new command overnight, so it's important to be patient and consistent with your training sessions. The Commands Now that you have all the necessary tools, let's get to the commands! Here are 5 essential dog commands that every pup should know: 1) Sit Sit is typically one of the first commands that dog parents and trainers will teach a dog because it offers many benefits. Sitting is incompatible with many of your pup's unwanted behaviors, like jumping up on visitors or counter-surfing. If your dog starts to display these unwanted behaviors, you can put them into the