For a visual showing the ideal performance of each cue, click the cue name below to launch a video.
For guidance on teaching these cues, register for Can Do Canines group or one-on-one training opportunities.
The dog’s name equals eye contact and sustained attention within 1-2 seconds of cue. It's not a recall, but it's okay if the dog moves towards the handler.
Come
Come
The dog recalls quickly to the front zone, within touch distance of the handler. The dog is able to recall from a distance and away from distractions.
Get Busy
Get Busy
The dog's cue to eliminate.
Get Dressed
Get Dressed
The dog will move their nose into their collar, cape and other equipment without a lure and stay still while they are fastened. Handler does not need to reach forward or bend over; handler can remain seated.
Sit
Sit
From a "stand," the dog tucks their back feet in to meet their front feet; front feet do not move. From a "down," the dog’s shoulders rise up and their back feet move to meet their front feet; the front feet do not move. Can be completed at a distance, in motion and at handlers sides. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Down
Down
From "stand," the dog folds back into a "down"; the front feet do not move and the dog does not sit first. From a "sit," the dog collapses downwards; the dog's front feet do not move. Can be completed at a distance, in motion, and at the handler's sides. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Stand
Stand
From a "down," the dog rises up and forward and kicks back feet out. From a "sit," the dog kicks their rear feet backwards. Front feet do not move in either case. A pop-up stand is acceptable where the dog’s front feet leave the ground, though they retain original placement upon landing. Can be completed at a distance, in motion, and at the handler's sides. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Stay
Stay
Built into many cues, may also be used as a standalone verbal. Dog does not move from position due to distractions, hearing other dogs’ cues, or handler walking behind, touching, stepping over, being out of sight, praising, treating, picking up, or dropping the leash, etc. Requires release or next cue.
Wait
Wait
Verbal cue for the dog to pause their motion until they receive release or next cue.
Okay
Okay
Release cue from a duration position. The dog should move out of the position with focus on handler.
Up
Up
The dog jumps onto a surface (such as a grooming table or into a car) with all four feet.
Off
Off
The dog puts all four feet onto the ground (cue to remind dog not to jump up or to release from a table).
Kennel
Kennel
The dog should enter their crate, willingly, and wait with door open until they are released. Once the door is shut, the dog should remain quiet despite activity around the kennel.
Yes
Yes
Reward marker. This word captures a behavior and indicates the reward comes from the hand.
Find It
Find It
Reward marker. This word captures and ends a behavior and indicates the reward will be tossed on the floor.
This signals the dog to begin moving with the handler.
Heel & Side
Heel & Side
Perch training is used to shape the dog to pivot to left (heel) and right (side) on verbal only; dog learns to never cross behind handler and to remain in the parallel position. Not a cue to begin or maintain walking.
Back
Back
The dog moves backwards in a straight line. Can move backwards next to handler (in the same direction) and also away from handler independently in any direction.
Fix It
Fix It
If the leash becomes tangled between the dog’s feet, the dog will lift the trapped leg and step over the leash in order to remove the tangle. The dog does not need the handler to move the leash.
Under
Under
The dog sends beneath an object such as a table or chair and lies down. The handler does not need to lure or assist the dog in orienting under the object, and the dog is able to navigate short, tight spaces. The handler may be sitting or standing when cuing the dog. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Park
Park
While the handler is seated, the dog will come to the front zone, circle to face the same direction as the handler, lay down, and back underneath the handler’s seat. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Step
Step
The dog places its front feet onto an elevated surface such as a curb, perch, or stair.
Out
Out
The dog will move out of a predefined space, such as a bathroom or kitchen and wait to re-enter until released.
The dog rests their chin in the handler’s palm. This cue implies duration; the handler should be able to examine the dog’s teeth, ears, and eyes.
Nudge
Nudge
The dog pushes their nose firmly into the palm of a hand. Nudge as a verbal is only used on the body (hand, or leg for "get help").
Settle
Settle
The dog will lay down, flip onto a hip, and rest on their side (lateral recumbent), with their head and shoulder lying on the ground. The dog should allow an exam, grooming, and petting while in this position. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Go Mat
Go Mat
The dog sends to a stationary target on verbal cue only and lays down on the target. The dog should look for the mat and target and remain on it with their front feet. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Shake
Shake
The dog will place a front paw into the palm of their handler. The dog should know how to give both front feet to a handler, and be comfortable having each foot gripped or moved. This behavior may be used for greetings in public, as well as general care.
Visit
Visit
The dog rests their chin on surface such as a chair or the handler’s leg. When visiting the handler, dog only approaches from the sides, never the front. This cue implies duration; the handler should be able to pet the dog, attach the leash, clip the collar, etc. while they rest their chin.
Tricks
Some Can Do Canines have learned tricks in addition to our common cues. Tricks help teach problem solving, body awareness and boost confidence, not to mention are cute and entertaining. Puppy Program has a curated list of tricks and their cues. Some tricks are not allowed due to the safety of the dog or their future client. If you would like to teach a trick, please verify that it is approved. If a program dog has learned any of these tricks while in prison or with another foster, please make sure that they only receive a reward if YOU cue the trick, never for offering it and always balance practicing tricks with the rest of their training.
Common Cues
Common Cues
For a visual showing the ideal performance of each cue, click the cue name below to launch a video.
For guidance on teaching these cues, register for Can Do Canines group or one-on-one training opportunities.
Jump to sections on this page
The Basics | Positioning and Walking | Other Cues | Tricks
The Basics
Click the plus sign to expand the description and access a training video.
Name
The dog’s name equals eye contact and sustained attention within 1-2 seconds of cue. It's not a recall, but it's okay if the dog moves towards the handler.
Come
The dog recalls quickly to the front zone, within touch distance of the handler. The dog is able to recall from a distance and away from distractions.
Get Busy
The dog's cue to eliminate.
Get Dressed
The dog will move their nose into their collar, cape and other equipment without a lure and stay still while they are fastened. Handler does not need to reach forward or bend over; handler can remain seated.
Sit
From a "stand," the dog tucks their back feet in to meet their front feet; front feet do not move. From a "down," the dog’s shoulders rise up and their back feet move to meet their front feet; the front feet do not move. Can be completed at a distance, in motion and at handlers sides. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Down
From "stand," the dog folds back into a "down"; the front feet do not move and the dog does not sit first. From a "sit," the dog collapses downwards; the dog's front feet do not move. Can be completed at a distance, in motion, and at the handler's sides. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Stand
From a "down," the dog rises up and forward and kicks back feet out. From a "sit," the dog kicks their rear feet backwards. Front feet do not move in either case. A pop-up stand is acceptable where the dog’s front feet leave the ground, though they retain original placement upon landing. Can be completed at a distance, in motion, and at the handler's sides. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Stay
Built into many cues, may also be used as a standalone verbal. Dog does not move from position due to distractions, hearing other dogs’ cues, or handler walking behind, touching, stepping over, being out of sight, praising, treating, picking up, or dropping the leash, etc. Requires release or next cue.
Wait
Verbal cue for the dog to pause their motion until they receive release or next cue.
Okay
Release cue from a duration position. The dog should move out of the position with focus on handler.
Up
The dog jumps onto a surface (such as a grooming table or into a car) with all four feet.
Off
The dog puts all four feet onto the ground (cue to remind dog not to jump up or to release from a table).
Kennel
The dog should enter their crate, willingly, and wait with door open until they are released. Once the door is shut, the dog should remain quiet despite activity around the kennel.
Yes
Reward marker. This word captures a behavior and indicates the reward comes from the hand.
Find It
Reward marker. This word captures and ends a behavior and indicates the reward will be tossed on the floor.
Positioning & Walking
Let's Go
This signals the dog to begin moving with the handler.
Heel & Side
Perch training is used to shape the dog to pivot to left (heel) and right (side) on verbal only; dog learns to never cross behind handler and to remain in the parallel position. Not a cue to begin or maintain walking.
Back
The dog moves backwards in a straight line. Can move backwards next to handler (in the same direction) and also away from handler independently in any direction.
Fix It
If the leash becomes tangled between the dog’s feet, the dog will lift the trapped leg and step over the leash in order to remove the tangle. The dog does not need the handler to move the leash.
Under
The dog sends beneath an object such as a table or chair and lies down. The handler does not need to lure or assist the dog in orienting under the object, and the dog is able to navigate short, tight spaces. The handler may be sitting or standing when cuing the dog. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Park
While the handler is seated, the dog will come to the front zone, circle to face the same direction as the handler, lay down, and back underneath the handler’s seat. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Step
The dog places its front feet onto an elevated surface such as a curb, perch, or stair.
Out
The dog will move out of a predefined space, such as a bathroom or kitchen and wait to re-enter until released.
Other Cues
Chin
The dog rests their chin in the handler’s palm. This cue implies duration; the handler should be able to examine the dog’s teeth, ears, and eyes.
Nudge
The dog pushes their nose firmly into the palm of a hand. Nudge as a verbal is only used on the body (hand, or leg for "get help").
Settle
The dog will lay down, flip onto a hip, and rest on their side (lateral recumbent), with their head and shoulder lying on the ground. The dog should allow an exam, grooming, and petting while in this position. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Go Mat
The dog sends to a stationary target on verbal cue only and lays down on the target. The dog should look for the mat and target and remain on it with their front feet. "Stay" is implied; requires release or next cue.
Shake
The dog will place a front paw into the palm of their handler. The dog should know how to give both front feet to a handler, and be comfortable having each foot gripped or moved. This behavior may be used for greetings in public, as well as general care.
Visit
The dog rests their chin on surface such as a chair or the handler’s leg. When visiting the handler, dog only approaches from the sides, never the front. This cue implies duration; the handler should be able to pet the dog, attach the leash, clip the collar, etc. while they rest their chin.
Tricks
Some Can Do Canines have learned tricks in addition to our common cues. Tricks help teach problem solving, body awareness and boost confidence, not to mention are cute and entertaining. Puppy Program has a curated list of tricks and their cues. Some tricks are not allowed due to the safety of the dog or their future client. If you would like to teach a trick, please verify that it is approved. If a program dog has learned any of these tricks while in prison or with another foster, please make sure that they only receive a reward if YOU cue the trick, never for offering it and always balance practicing tricks with the rest of their training.
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