We teach our dogs a release word to let them know that they can get up from whatever position we left them waiting in. You can make your release word anything you want. At BlueDog, we recommend that you use the word ‘free’ but you can get creative if you want something a little out of the ordinary!
How to Teach:
- Choose a word that you will use consistently to release your dog from a position. We recommend you use the word “free”, but you can use something else if you’d rather.
- Have your dog in any position you want, for this video Jane is starting in a sit.
- Standing in neutral position say your release word then reach into your treat pouch and toss a treat far enough away to get them up from the position you put them in.
- Note: The order is important. Say your release word THEN reach into your treat pouch.
- Cue your dog into a position and repeat step 2 several more times.
- Once your dog is starting to anticipate the treat toss, say your release word and then pause to see if your dog will get up before you toss the treat.
- Increase the amount of time you wait between giving the release word and tossing the treat.
- Once your dog understands the process above you will say the release word and wait until your dog gets up from the position they are in before tossing them a treat.
- Practice this with different positions (sit, stand, down) as well as for things like going out the door or leaving their crate. For each new scenario start back at step 2 and follow the progression listed.