Obedience 
It is crucial that a service dog respond to practical obedience commands. This ensures that the dog understands its role in the working partnership and is a pleasant companion both in public areas as well as when off-duty. Unlike tasking verbal cues, obedience commands are appropriate in any situation.   

These are the Prioritized Obedience Commands:
Heel (position)
The dog is at your left side, facing the same direction as you are with his head next to your left leg. This verbal cue prescribes a desired position relative to you, and can be given while standing still or while you are walking with your dog. The dog should assume this position while standing at your side or during heeling, sits and downs. The left sided heel is for your protection; walking on the right side of the street in the direction as cars move. You may also learn “side’ which can be used when it is safer for your dog to heel on the right side.
Sit
The dog is sitting in heel position on its haunches facing the same direction as the handler.

Down
The dog is lying on the ground next to the handler’s left leg facing the same direction as the handler. The head may be up or down.
Settle/Head Down
The dog is lying on the ground and the handler indicates to the dog to relax and lay their head on the ground. This may communicate to your dog that this is an okay place to nap.
Stay
The dog is to stay in a given spot until the handler returns to it or calls the dog. A stay may communicate to your dog that the duration of position, may be longer.
OK/Break – “Release word”
This word releases a dog from a previous command or position.
Come – (a casual recall)
The dog is to come close to the handler, readily allowing the handler to touch the collar.
Side/Over Here
The dog moves to the right side of the handler. Oftentimes used to protect the dog’s paws (e.g. when going through a door with the hinge on the left side.)

Front
This indicates a face-to-face position with the dog. The dog may make close contact facing the handler vertically in either a stand or a sit. This may either indicate the transition to a task, help put your dog in a safer position in your environment while still, or help increase your dog’s focus success.

Heel/Get-In/Close (re-positioning the dog) 
When your dog is elsewhere, this command calls the dog into heel position. This may be used after a stay, a release, a ‘come’ or an ‘over here’ command. Get-In and close may indicate to your dog that you need them to bring in their rear-end only.
Wait
A temporary ‘stay’; the dog expects to move from the spot momentarily. This is commonly used when waiting to get in or out of a vehicle.

Obedience commands are generally preceded by the dog’s name and are given in conjunction with hand gestures and specific leash handling. You will be instructed on the best way to say these verbal cues to your dog.
  
Obedience commands differ from task verbal cues in that the dog is expected to respond regardless of the environment. You, as handler, are the leader of the team and need tools to reinforce the fact that you are in authority. Because of the inherent nature of their work, a service dog is a confident creature and will require an assertive handler. If a service dog is always offered the choice about whether to respond or not, he may think that he is in charge of the team. Obedience commands provide a healthy “check and balance” to a dog’s responsibilities in their work. A service dog remains safe and effective because he has a confident and effective leader whom he trusts and respects. 
  
Doing obedience exercises (whether an isolated exercise or the entire sequence) is important for many reasons. Aside from serving as a reminder of your leadership, these exercises also maintain good behaviors and manners for practical situations (e.g. stores and restaurants). They also help regain your dog’s attention if he is distracted. Finally, they enable the team to practice verbal cues, responses and praise with rewards.

The command words vary from person to person. Regardless of what word you choose, it is important that it is always used correctly, confidently, and without over-repetition. The timing of your words is extremely important. Putting the dog in a position where they are more likely to choose to give you behaviors more easily and successfully, is crucial in training reliability.