To teach the release cue, choose a position that your dog already understands well, such as “sit” or “down,” and give the cue while the dog is in position. The cue can be anything you like, such as “let’s go,” “release,” or even a hand signal. Then entice the dog to get up and come toward you. Click and treat as the dog gets up. When your dog is waiting in position reliably, challenge your dog by doing random things while your dog remains in position until you release him. Once your dog understands the release cue, the opportunity to participate in the next activity becomes the reward!

Learn more useful behaviors for dog sports and beyond with Karen Pryor Academy’s online course Dog Sports Essentials!