What are Cues in Dog Training?

A cue is an indicator to the dog that it’s time to do a certain behavior. When they perform the said behavior correctly they get a reinforcer such as a treat, When they do not we go back and try again with luring or capturing behavior.  This is what cues are in dog training.

Cues make training clear, fun, and engaging. 

Dogs love to sniff and explore their worlds Positive trainers use these qualities to determine the specific behavior we are asking of the dog and then guide and reward them through the steps to reach the final behavior. Dogs are active learners which means they need to do repetitions in order to perform the behavior the best. We add the cue word once the dog understands the behavior we are asking them to do.  

Training cues are a way to simplify and create clear communication with your dog ultimately creating a stress-free life with your dog. 

My dog doesn’t perform the cue

Go back to kindergarten, meaning try to teach the dog again without the cue word. We do this through luring, shaping, and capturing the behavior. We do not mark so we do not reward the dog. Owners should reflect on how they taught the behavior and re-evaluate. Hiring a professional dog trainer may also add an outside perspective on how you taught them and if they truly understand the behavior. 

Common Reasons Dogs May Not Respond to the Cue:

Owners assume the dog understands what the cue signals when they have not had enough practice 

Too many distractions in the environment. 

The reward being used is not valued high enough for the dog. 

Training tools to use when Training Cues

These are tools I use with my clients when training dogs. They are not the end-all tools to use but I typically start with these and trial and error. 

High-Value Treats: Freeze-dried liver treats

Bocce Bakery

Leash: 6 Foot Leash or Long Line (Recall/ Off-Leash Training)

Collar: Flat Buckle & Martingale

Harness: Easy Walk & Freedom Harness

Training your dog is a lifetime commitment. When you add in training cues it helps ease the confusion of what you expect from your dog when it is trained right. If you are struggling with your dog please contact me today.