📣 Module 3: Creating a Shared Language
“Clear is Kind: Teaching Your Dog What You DO Want”
🐾 Communication is the Heart of Training
At its core, training is really just a conversation between you and your dog. But here’s the catch: dogs don’t speak English — they read patterns. Your job isn’t to control them — it’s to give them a simple, understandable map to follow in an environment in which they they feel safe.
🚫 The Problem with "No"
A lot of frustration in dog training comes from focusing on what we don’t want:
🗺️ Clarity
Dogs are always learning. Our role job isn’t to "command" or coerce our dogs into doing what we want at all times— it’s to teach them how to clearly recognize which behavior will be reinforced in a given context. That’s where communication and cues come together.
🧩 What is a Cue?
A cue is a stimulus that elicits a behavior. Here’s where it gets interesting: Cues aren’t just words. In fact, words are often the least reliable cues at first. Your dog is constantly picking up on a wide range of signals, including:
🗣️ Why “Cue” NOT “Command"
Many of us are familiar with the word “command” in relation to dog training. This tends to frame training as something rigid, hierarchical, and compliance-based. It implies: "You must obey." The term "Cue" is a far more helpful word, because it reflects what’s really happening:
🧠 Why Language Matters (For Us)
The words we use shape how we think. Unlike the word "command," which implies obedience and compliance, the word "cue" keeps us focused on the relationship.
⚠️ Where Problems Start
Cue Confusion
Sometimes, what you think is the cue isn’t what your dog is responding to.
Example:
You say “sit” → but your dog is actually responding to your hand motion or the sight of your treat pouch.
When that extra cue disappears (like your hand staying still), suddenly the behavior "falls apart" — and we assume the dog "forgot" or is being "stubborn."
But really? The signal changed and the dog just wasn’t clear on the available information.
🎯 Markers: One of Your Most Powerful Tools
To build clearer communication, we use markers to pinpoint exactly when your dog gets it right.
Dog makes eye contact→ you click → treat follows → dog learns exactly which action earned reinforcement.
🧠 Reflection Prompt
📌 Key Takeaway
Dogs don’t speak English — but they're great at reading context. The better we understand what our dogs are actually responding to, the more effective, reliable, and humane our communication becomes. Training isn’t about control — it’s about clarity and building a functional language that you both understand.
📝 Homework
👉 Next module: Common Mistakes
“Clear is Kind: Teaching Your Dog What You DO Want”
🐾 Communication is the Heart of Training
At its core, training is really just a conversation between you and your dog. But here’s the catch: dogs don’t speak English — they read patterns. Your job isn’t to control them — it’s to give them a simple, understandable map to follow in an environment in which they they feel safe.
🚫 The Problem with "No"
A lot of frustration in dog training comes from focusing on what we don’t want:
- “Don’t jump.”
- “Don’t pull.”
- “Don’t bark.”
🗺️ Clarity
Dogs are always learning. Our role job isn’t to "command" or coerce our dogs into doing what we want at all times— it’s to teach them how to clearly recognize which behavior will be reinforced in a given context. That’s where communication and cues come together.
🧩 What is a Cue?
A cue is a stimulus that elicits a behavior. Here’s where it gets interesting: Cues aren’t just words. In fact, words are often the least reliable cues at first. Your dog is constantly picking up on a wide range of signals, including:
- Verbal cues: "Sit", "down", "touch"
- Visual cues: Hand signals, eye contact, treat pouch
- Body language: Leaning forward, reaching, posture
- Environmental cues: Location (at the door, on the couch), time of day
- Routine patterns: Grabbing the leash, putting on shoes
- Unintentional cues: Tension in your voice, movement toward or away
🗣️ Why “Cue” NOT “Command"
Many of us are familiar with the word “command” in relation to dog training. This tends to frame training as something rigid, hierarchical, and compliance-based. It implies: "You must obey." The term "Cue" is a far more helpful word, because it reflects what’s really happening:
- A cue is simply a signal that tells your dog which behavior is likely to be reinforced.
- It’s not a demand — it’s an opportunity for your dog to earn reinforcement.
🧠 Why Language Matters (For Us)
The words we use shape how we think. Unlike the word "command," which implies obedience and compliance, the word "cue" keeps us focused on the relationship.
- Command = control, compliance, hierarchy
- Cue = communication, opportunity, partnership
⚠️ Where Problems Start
Cue Confusion
Sometimes, what you think is the cue isn’t what your dog is responding to.
Example:
You say “sit” → but your dog is actually responding to your hand motion or the sight of your treat pouch.
When that extra cue disappears (like your hand staying still), suddenly the behavior "falls apart" — and we assume the dog "forgot" or is being "stubborn."
But really? The signal changed and the dog just wasn’t clear on the available information.
🎯 Markers: One of Your Most Powerful Tools
To build clearer communication, we use markers to pinpoint exactly when your dog gets it right.
- Most common markers used: “yes”, "good", or a clicker.
- The marker bridges the gap between the behavior and the reward.
- Timing is key: mark the moment the correct behavior happens.
Dog makes eye contact→ you click → treat follows → dog learns exactly which action earned reinforcement.
🧠 Reflection Prompt
- Which behaviors do I give verbal cues for?
- Are there non-verbal cues influencing my dog’s responses?
- How can I simplify my cues to build stronger clarity?
📌 Key Takeaway
Dogs don’t speak English — but they're great at reading context. The better we understand what our dogs are actually responding to, the more effective, reliable, and humane our communication becomes. Training isn’t about control — it’s about clarity and building a functional language that you both understand.
📝 Homework
- Pick one behavior to practice this week and video yourself.
- Test your cue by varying your posture, hand placement, or location.
- Continue in sets of 5 reps for a total of 3 sets.
- Watch the video immediately afterward: is your dog responding to the word or to other cues?
- Use this (Performance Assessment) tool to record your results.
👉 Next module: Common Mistakes