Others have already mentioned the recall, but I'll add a bit to that. I love my dogs' informal recall from the yard. I have a good-sized fenced yard, and I've taught them that the phrase "In the house!" means head to the back door now, whether I'm at the door, calling, or I'm out in the yard playing with them and it's time to quit.

I actually had one occasion where I called both of them off of an opossum in the yard with a single repetition of that command. (This after I heard my husband outside shouting everything but that command at them, lol.)

Really fantastic ideas!

For me, I love that my dogs have no problem with being crated. Plastic, wire or soft sided, it doesn't matter. Still working on this with the pup, but at least she is quiet when we are gone, at night and in the car. During the day, she is convinced she is missing a big event!

Also, I love that they sit and politely "ask" for things. It's a great default behavior that really helps us communicate.

Traveling nicely is at the top of the list, too.

Ditto with those that mention a reliable recall. I will add a reliable down on command to that recall.
Before I actually trained a dog when I was 12 my VERY first dog was killed by a car because she was a runner. She came from my uncle's farm and he gave her to us because she was a car chaser. We lived in the inner city. Go figure!
I've had close to 20 dogs since then. Never less then 2-3-4 at a time and I've never had a dog refuse a recall since.
If the don't sit or do tricks when told it's nothing more then an inconvenience.
If they don't immediately come when called or don't have an instant down on command it can be deadly.

Big ditto to what Bob said about a reliable down command. Bailey will drop like a sack of potatoes during a dead run after a ball, while chasing an animal, or while charging someone entering our yard unannounced by simply tell her to down. Very helpful in controlling a chaotic situation.

In addition to the recall, as others have mentioned, our other two most useful commands are "place" and "other side". Our place command is so useful in giving her a place to go while we eat, while answering the doorbell, while receiving visitors, etc, and also as a command during agility training for going to a pause platform.

The "other side" command is wonderful. While walking her, either side, it's given to have her cross in front of me and loop around to end up at my opposite side. Great for positioning her when we encounter other people walking their dogs on a trail or moving her to my right away from traffic while walking on a bike path. All done while not breaking stride.

So many good ideas here! I'm glad you started this thread, Melissa.

Another thing I really enjoy when I'm working with my dogs is using all of their maneuvering commands, meaning I'm able to ask them to move their bodies in almost any direction with a word or a signal. Very useful if you're going to get into obedience or rally competition, but it's also just plain fun and great mental exercise for them.

For example, the "back" command. My dogs will back up beside me at the heel, back away from me while we're standing facing each other, back up in heel position or front position at a sit, just barely lifting the butt so it's kind of a scoot. And one of my dogs, the more flexible and agile one, does an amazing job of backing up in a down position.

I've also taught them to heel with me in a sidestep motion, in pivoting motions, and one I've termed "follow," which is me and the dog standing facing each other and we both sidestep in the same direction. Also, wagon wheel fronts, which is me standing in place, pivoting one step at a time, the dog sitting in front of me and shifting with me to maintain a straight front as I pivot.

I do the other side command as well, except I use switch.

Id love to say we have a perfect recall but working on that
I have to add one thing that has been hugely helpful is teaching Amber to poop on a lunge line and on command, really wish I had taught my other dogs to do this.

One thing I'm so glad I learned (wish I had learned it earlier) is not to use the recall when I have doubt ... not to show the dog that it's optional.

Yes! Amber is in remidial classes with this,lol.

In order for Molly to come through a gate or outside door she must sit, make eye contact and be released. There have been several times someone has left the gate open, or the garage door and she wouldn't dream of going through without permission. I started this when she was 3 months, never needed a correction it's just habit.

Have you posted a recent photo of your puppy? Would love to see one.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

One thing I'm so glad I learned (wish I had learned it earlier) is not to use the recall when I have doubt ... not to show the dog that it's optional.

Amen to that! Why teach a dog it can refuse if it wishes?!!