Common Cues

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.