We know how to tell our dogs what we want them to do (see Training Terminology 2 – Cues.) So how do we let our dog know when we (and they) are done? This is one of the most forgotten parts in dog training, but if you ask me it is very important! We must use a release word. Trainers must have a sound or word (or maybe even a hand signal) that tells our dog they are done working. I simply use the words “all done.” Some popular choices are “well done”, “go play”, “free dog” and “release”. Heck, I don’t care if you say Pavlov as long you are consistent with it. Remember, DOGS DON’T SPEAK ENGLISH!
Obviously this situation is not funny and, in fact, it is potentially life threatening for your dog. With that in mind, let’s agree that it is better to have a somewhat unique release word(s) instead of a common word or phrase. Heck, come up with a nonsense word if you want. I have a friend who is a huge Jimmy Buffet fan and she uses “Parrot Head” as her release words. Have fun with it!
One very important piece of advice to remember…if you are using clicker training (which I strongly recommend) make sure to click as your positive marker only!! The click must happen immediately after the requested behavior occurs to tell the dog what they did was correct. This not only marks the dog for doing well, but becomes an intermediary signal to the dog before the release word and the reward. Some novices will click the moment the rump hits the ground, and then reward…so what is the release? The click, in this case, became both marker and release. If that happens, it will make distance stays really tough in the not so distant future. The marker (click) and release (word or phrase) need to be distinctly different and separated by time (duration) so they become separate commands. If we look at the command “sit”, the order of events should be…rump hitting the ground, click (which tells the dog what they did was right), the release (command finished) then rewarding the dog (good job Fido!)
So, once you have decided what you are going to use for your release word(s), how do you teach your dog that they are done working when you say it? It is important that you get in the habit of using your release word(s) when your dog is done working. Again, consistency is essential. This really is not that complicated. Simply put, the dog is not offered the reward immediately after doing the requested behavior, but is offered the treat when the release word is spoken. This lets them know the requested behavior is complete and now they will get their reward. This will help improve your dog’s impulse control and be a big step in building a solid stay cue (more info to come in the blog post on stay.)
I will warn you not to use words like “OK” or “Good Dog” as your release word and here is why! Let’s say you are in a big box pet store buying dog food (40 pound size) you have your dog on a leash in one hand and the other has the bag of food. You get to the register and put your very well behaved dog in a down stay so you can swipe your card and sign the receipt…enter stage left, your neighbor comes in and says “Fido what a Good Dog!” Guess what, your very well behaved dog was just released and now is running head long into the parking lot to say hello to the world.
What Is a Release Word
The last tool you’ll need when training your dog is a release word. This special cue lets your dog know that they are all done and free to do whatever they please.
There are obvious places where a release word is important, such as when teaching stay or wait. In these types of behaviors, your dog needs to continue the behavior for an extended period and should only stop when told to. For example, you ask your dog to stay while you prepare his food, he should only get up from that stay when you release him. Once you are done preparing his dinner, you would then give your release word so your dog would know it’s okay to get up from the stay and start eating.
Unfortunately, many owners inadvertently train their dog to associate their positive marker with being “all done.” How many times have you asked your dog to stay and then said “good dog!” and treated them as they pranced around happily?
While this might not seem like a big deal for a stay, it is a problem if you want to use a positive marker for a more complex behavior like a heel.
As I am heeling with my dog, I want to encourage her to stay by my side by saying “good girl” occasionally as I go. But, if my dog associates that positive marker with being all done, when I say “good girl” she may jump out of position. She may even start hopping all around me excitedly looking for her reward.
The release word tells your dog they are free to do whatever they like. This freedom may last a few moments between cues or a few days between training sessions.
To avoid this, you always want to use a separate, special cue for your release word. And, you always want to use positive markers and reward your dog while they are still doing the behavior that was asked. For example, if I ask my dog for a sit, I want to say “good dog” and give them their reward all while they are still in a sit. Only after I give the reward would I release them from the sit by saying my release word.
A release word also helps your simple commands to be more solid. When I ask my dog for a down, I don’t want him to tap his elbows on the ground then hop up looking for a reward. I want him to lay down until I release him. And, by consistently using a release word to let my dog know they are done, my dog will always be looking for more direction after each command is given. I can ask my dog to sit, move straight into a down, then move into a heel, then back to down, all without them ever getting up or walking away until I say the release word at the very end.
>>>Looking for more ways to mentally stimulate your dog? Here are eight great mental exercises.
Positive and Negative Markers Tips and Tricks
Using negative and positive markers when teaching a complex behavior like heel will help your dog understand what you want them to do sooner than just rewards alone.
Teach Your Dog To STAY – The FREE Command – the Release – Dog Training Video
In my article on how to train your dog to stay, I have mentioned the release command a few times and its importance for dog obedience training.
The release command is used in basic dog obedience training and consists of a verbal cue that is given to release the dog from the current command.
This command is often used in combination with the command “stay” or “heel” or any other type of training command.
You teach the release command through correcting undesired behavior and reinforcing the positive behavior patterns when your dog is patient and waits, for example.