How to Train the Verbal Release Cue

Goal

Your puppy moves when it hears the release word.

How long will it take?

3 to 4 sessions

Help and Tips

Your pup doesn’t move when you give the release command.

• DO NOT PULL A TREAT OUT UNTIL THE PUP MOVES.
• Instead, encourage the puppy move by patting your leg, snapping your fingers, making silly puppy noises.
• Still not working? Put your puppy on a leash so when you move, the pup has to move. Give it a treat after it moves no matter why it moves.

Your puppy moves before you give the release command.

Say the release cue even earlier. We are just teaching the release cue so we aren’t testing whether your pup will stay only that it moves when you give the release command.

Introduction to Release Cues

The purpose of teaching a verbal release to your puppy is to tell it when a command or exercise is over. A release command ends a behavior or behavior chain, telling the dog that he is done with that behavior. It gives the pup permission to do something else. For example, release commands are used to tell your dog he is done with a sit, he can come out of the car or the house, or he no longer needs to heel with you. \

Adding a release command to your pup’s vocabulary increases your control over and the safety of your dog since it teaches him he must wait till he hears it before quitting a behavior. It also enables your dog to better understand the concept of stay, whether or not he has been given the command to stay.

Keep in mind that releases are requirements; your dog must move when he hears the command. Even a release isn’t an option.

STEP 1 — Choose Your Release Word

Your first step is to select your release word. Many people use “Okay” but it isn’t an optimal word as we’ll discuss next. “Free” or “break” may be better options so think about the options before choosing.

We use “Okay” as our release command but if you use “OK” a lot in daily conversation around the dog, choose a different release command, such as “Free” or “Break.” Write your release word on your cue list so everyone in the family uses the same one.

STEP 2 — Teach Your Pup the Release Word

To teach your release command, say your release command and then move away from the dog encouraging it to follow. When it does, give him a small treat. Do this 10 times in 3 to 4 sessions over a day or two.

STEP 3 — Use Your Release Cue

From now on, for the rest of the dog’s life, commit to ending every cue sequence you signal or say to your dog with a release command. Think of the release cue as a period at the end of a cue sequence.

Now, your cue sequences should include your release cue. For example with sit, the sequence will look like:

1. You say “Sit.”
2. Puppy sits.
3. You say ”Yes!” to mark your pup’s butt hitting the ground.
4. You put a treat or two in your pup’s mouth while it is sitting.
5. You then say “Okay!” and move.
6. The pup moves with you.

If you are teaching your dog he cannot go out the door without a release command, the sequence will have fewer verbal cues and instead will rely on the door itself as the signal. More on that in Door Manners. The door cue sequence will look like:

1. You put your hand on the door.
2. The puppy backs away from the door.
3. You open the door.
4. The pup remains away from the door.
5. You say “OK!” and move out the door.
6. The pup moves with you.