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.

Busy

The dog's cue to eliminate.

Dress

The dog will move their nose into their collar, cape, or other equipment without a lure, and stay still while they are fastened. The handler does not need to reach forward or bend over; the 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. This can be completed at a distance, in motion, and at the handler's sides. "Stay" is implied, and release or the next cue is required.

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. This can be completed at a distance, in motion, and at the handler's sides. "Stay" is implied, and release or the next cue is required.

Stand

From a down, the dog rises up and forward and kicks their back feet out. From a sit, the dog kicks their rear feet backwards. The front feet do not move in either case. A pop-up stand is acceptable when the dog’s front feet leave the ground, though they retain their original placement upon landing. This can be completed at a distance, in motion, and at handler's sides. "Stay" is implied, and release or the next cue is required.

Stay

This is built into many cues. The dog does not move from position due to distractions, hearing other dogs' cues, or the handler walking behind, touching, stepping over, being out of sight, praising, treating, or picking up or dropping the leash, etc. Release or the next cue is required.

Wait

This is a verbal cue for the dog to pause their motion until they are released or receive the next cue.

Break

This is a release cue from a duration position. The dog should move up and out of the position with their focus on the handler.

Up and Off

Up: The dog learns to jump 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 the dog not to jump up or to release from a table).

Kennel

The dog should enter their crate willingly and wait with the door open until they are released. Once the door is shut, the dog should remain quiet despite activity around the kennel.

Yes

This is a marker word. This word ends a behavior, and the dog is fed a reward from the hand.

Floor

This is a marker word. This word ends a behavior, and the dog's reward is tossed onto the floor.

Scatter

The dog is cued to eat food from the ground.