The Basic Behaviours
What they are and why we teach them
ATTENTION
What is it: When a dog gives you their full attention, by looking and listening to you.
Why we teach it: You aren’t able to teach any other behaviour without first being able to get a dog’s focus. Having a reinforcer in your hand is all well and good, but having it on cue is a big advantage in dog training.
Some cue ideas: “Watch me”, “Name”, “Focus”
DOWN
What it is: When a dog’s belly, rear end, and chest are on the floor and is able to have the ability to relax.
Why we teach it: Down is, again, a foundation that can lead to other behaviours. It also enables us to teach a dog to relax in certain situations, such as at a café. Some dogs, such as more reserved dogs, will not always offer a down, as lying down means letting one’s guard down.
Some cue ideas: “Down”, “Lay down”, “Relax”
SIT
What it is: When a dog is able to put their rear end on the floor, with their front legs straight. Some dogs will sit on their hip instead in order to feel comfortable. Certain breeds (such as Greyhounds or Dachshunds) will occasionally find sitting difficult.
Why we teach it: Sit is a foundation to many other behaviours. Most dogs will readily offer a sit and it’s a great alternative to many “problem” behaviours, such as jumping, pulling, or lunging.
Some cue ideas: “Sit”, “Settle”, “Park it”
TOUCH
What it is: When a dog presses its nose to the owner’s hand, or another object.
Why we teach it: Touch can be used as an alternative to so many behaviours, including barking and recalling. Using touch can help dogs navigate small spaces and to help your dog refocus on you, especially in distraction-filled environments. It’s quite the versatile trick, and very easy for both dogs and humans to understand.
Some cue ideas: “Touch”, “Nose”, “Bop it”
RECALL
What it is: When a dog comes back to its owner over a distance when called, whether from the other side of a room or from across the park.
Why we teach it: Recall is one of the most important behaviours you can teach your dog. Recall can be a life saver in dangerous situations. We can even take it a step further and teach an emergency recall cue.
Some cue ideas: “Come”, “Here”, “C’mere”
WAIT
What it is: When a dog waits in a neutral position (either standing, sitting, or lying down) for a few moments until the handler releases the dog.
Why we teach it: Teaching a wait is a great way to also teach impulse control at the same time. Wait can be helpful if you’re just popping out the door to the garden for a moment and you don’t want your dog following you, or if you’re trying to get their food ready. Wait is different from a “stay”.
Some cue ideas: “Wait”, “Hold it”, “Hold you horses”
STAY
What it is: When a dog waits in a neutral position (either standing, sitting, or lying down) for a set period of time as the handler walks away from the dog and then returns to its side. The handler can then release the dog.
Why we teach it: Just like “wait”, stay is a way to teach impulse control. Stay requires the dog, however, to remain in place until the handler comes back to it.
Some cue ideas: “Stay,” “Just a second”, “Be right back
DROP
What it is: When a dog relinquishes possession of an item they had been holding in their mouth, either onto the ground or into the owner’s hand.
Why we teach it: You see so many reports these days of dogs being poisoned through random food stuffs left on the pavement, or of dogs swallowing many tiny objects that someone has dropped. Teaching drop can help prevent a dog from ingesting a potentially dangerous object, and thus saving you money in vet bills.
Some cue ideas: “Drop,” “Give”, “Let go”
LEAVE IT
What it is: When a dog either moves his nose or his entire body away from a certain item.
Why we teach it: This is another way to teach impulse control, but it also is very much like “drop” in that it can save your dog from eating something dangerous.
Some cue ideas: “Leave it”, “Ignore”, “Move along”
LEAD WALKING
What it is: When a dog doesn’t pull when on lead. Instead, the lead has a loose “J” shape to it, with your dog walking either by the owner’s side, slightly in front, or slightly behind.
Why we teach it: To save your arms, of course! Dogs can be very strong animals, especially the larger ones. Teaching loose lead walking and how to politely stay by your side is very beneficial to both owner and dog.
Some cue ideas: “Here”, “Close”, “With me”
GO TO MAT
What it is: When a dog goes to a certain spot they’re comfortable in and hangs out there in a neutral position.
Why we teach it: Going to mat is another alternative behaviour. Instead of jumping, barking, or chasing, going to mat tells your dog to go to a specific place to go to. Also, it can help you with teaching your dog to relax in lots of different environments. Please note that it doesn’t have to be a mat. It could be a small bed, a crate, a towel or blanket, etc.
Some cue ideas: “To your mat”, “Bed”, “On your blanket”
STAND
What it is: When a dog stands on all four paws, belly and bottom off the ground, ready to walk.
Why we teach it: Stand is often an ignored behaviour to teach, but it can have many benefits. Standing can be valuable during a grooming session, at the vet’s office, when cleaning your dog, or as an alternative behaviour.
Some cue ideas: “Stand”, “Up and at ‘em!”, “On your feet”