01/07/2026
Very good information!
Please take the time to read !!!😊
It can be tempting, once our dogs have got the hang of a new cue at home, to think that they know exactly what it means and head out into the world. But when we come to need that cue away from home, suddenly there is no response to the cue at all!
Because of the way our language driven brains function, once we know what a word means it means the same thing wherever we are. So why isn't it the same for dogs?
Dogs don't actually understand the word and what it means. What has happened is that they have formed an association with the sound that word makes and a response we would like from them. However, dogs are far more aware of their environment than we are a lot of the time and, when we have only worked on the cue at home, that environment is a part of the cue setup in their minds. At this point as far as they understand it, the cue means the particular response is wanted in a particular place.
To show that the cue is asking for the same response wherever we are with our dogs, we need to go through a process of generalising, or 'proofing' the response.
This means gradually widening the number of places where the dog understands and can respond to the cue in the way we would like or need them to. As an example let's look at an absolutely essential cue, a recall.
We may start off teaching recall in the house, from just a few steps away when the dog is already heading towards us. This makes it easy to form the association between coming to us and the rewards for doing so (whether you use treats, fuss and attention, toys or games etc). And it's easy to introduce the cue word you have chosen for recall at this point also.
When recall is mastered in the house, move out to the garden and repeat the process.
After recall is solid in the garden, go somewhere quiet and with minimal distractions. Repeat the exercise there.
Gradually increase the number of distractions around as you ask your dog for that important recall, until it's solid and they are able to understand and respond to the cue wherever you go.
When adding a new location or more distractions, it's recommended to up the value of the rewards on offer. Use extra tasty treats, a highly valued toy or absolute favourite game, for example, so your dog knows that responding in this new and slightly busier place is definitely worth it. Once they have clearly got the idea, we can go back to a lower level of incentive and save the high value items for when we next increase the difficulty.
Be considerate when recalling your dog out in the world. Try not to recall them when they're having a good sniff as this is interrupting their time they get to carry out an important natural behaviour.
If you are not sure of your dog's recall, you can use a long line (always attached to a harness, not a collar, for safety) while working on the cue. That way your dog has more freedom to explore but you have backup security of a physical connection if needed to stop them potentially getting into trouble or bringing them in closer when needed. For off lead time secure dog fields can be very useful while you are still working on the reliability of your dog's recall.
Once your dog is reliably responding to the cue wherever you go, you have 'proofed' the behaviour, and you and your dog can go out and enjoy the world, confident that, when needed, your dog will come back to you when you call. Safer and more relaxing for all involved!
