Chapter 2
🐾 When should we introduce the signal?
There is one important rule when introducing a new cue:
Only add the signal once the dog can already perform the behaviour reliably.
A good guideline is:
✅ If the dog performs the behaviour correctly around 4 out of 5 times, you can start adding the cue.
⏱️ Give the cue before the movement
The signal should not be given while the dog is already moving into position or once the dog is standing.
Instead, give the cue before the behaviour starts.
For example:
➡️ Dog is lying down or sitting
➡️ You give the Stand cue
➡️ Then guide the dog into the standing position
➡️ Reward in position
This helps the dog connect the verbal cue with the behaviour that follows.
🔤 One special feature in this setup
In my training, I split the Stand cue into two parts:
➡️ “S” = the execution of the Stand
➡️ “Tand” = standing securely and staying in position
We will build the “S” part in the next chapter.
For now, we only focus on the “Tand” part.
You can use a very short version of the cue or simply the “T” sound.
🐕 So the process is:
Whether your dog starts from a sit or down:
➡️ Give the “T” cue
➡️ Guide the dog into the Stand
➡️ Reward generously
💡 It does not have to be perfect yet
At this stage, your dog does not need to perform the Stand reliably on the verbal cue alone.
For now, simply start including the cue in the familiar movement.
The full connection will develop later as we continue building the exercise.