The Five Most Common Words in Dog Training and Which Ones I Never Use #52

[@tgtg4512]

I lost my dog to cancer a month ago.💔💔💔💔 I applied to adopt a dog coming from the North. She was described as "clean slate" dog. Has to be trained for everything. I hope I get her!! 💖

[@JennyYasi]

Well done! One time I was doing a pet therapy group for kids, someone was recording the interaction and I asked Tigerlily to sit. One of the kids said, "Can I pet her?" I said, "Okay!" Then, "Tigerlily what are you doing? Sit!" All caught on video! Smack forehead!

[@Catbooks]

Welp, I had been a sit-stayer and have been changing to a sit-releaser, using Okay! But now I'm thinking using a different release makes sense, and since I want to have fun with this, I'm going to use "Toooodle!" I think my dog will like that, and if people look at me funny when I use it, oh well. Who cares, right?

[@michellekeyes4837]

I always wondered why we were teaching the cue stay when really the dog should always stay until they are released anyways and if we use our dogs name to call them then why would we use the word come when they should already come to there name being called. But I think that's brilliant how you said to save the word come for an emergency call though!! Now if we could only come up with something like that for when our toddler runs out onto the road or in a parking lot!!! Thanks for another brilliant podcast Susan!! You truly have become a mentor to me and I love your style of teaching!!! You should start a dog trainer school as every dog trainer out there would in my opinion be learning from the best!! Thanks a million!!!!

[@pathoyer5823]

I have a lot of clarifying to do for my poor Fenn!

[@bobsmomone]

Once in awhile I still say "stay" but then realize why I don't need to. I learn something in every podcast but I'm not surprised. Susan is THE BEST when it comes to not only understanding what we need to do for our dogs, but how to explain it as well. So grateful for what she has brought into my life and my dog's life!

[@jennifersorum7475]

My 8 year is trained with the word “ok”. I have heard this before how this word is a hard word for dogs to have as a release word! I knew with my next dog I would use “break”. I have my new puppy that is 12 weeks old and I am using “break”!! Now, I can try to re-train my older dog!! Thank you Susan!!

[@jodichristensen706]

This podcast made me realize how much I really do say OK when working with my dogs without even realizing it.

[@kathiseaman]

I have my first puppy in over seven years, another Giant Schnauzer. Starting over with a puppy is scary. I was SO happy to find these podcasts and the new things Susan is doing. The free podcasts makes it so easy to share Susan with my friends so they can see for themselves how wonderful their dog or puppy can be. I have signed up for Home School the Dog, Puppy Peaks, dug out my Ruff Love book and my Susan Garrett DVDs. I hope to be sharing our successes in the near future.

[@denisekrigbaum9453]

“Going all spider monkey on them!” Cracked me up! I had a sense that tones matter, but now I’m inspired to really put them to use. I learn something from every podcast.

[@dogsrgodsspelledbackwards3340]

Hahahah. This! Was so darn cute. Look mom I did it. I hit the like button just like you taught me to. The one thing you didn’t have to teach me is to be cute. Everyone thinks I’m a cute puppy. This! I know . Well Susan, again another fabulous video. I know I have to teach a new cue to my youngest dog. That’s only because my husband inadvertently taught him or should I say reinforced the “blow you off” response to a recall when time to get inside. I was away for a month and then recovering at home for 2 more months I didn’t have strength nor desire to fix the issue. PS. I was distracted by This! Being so darn cute as a button. Great Job SG

[@janetscott3604]

I feel like you read our posts on FB and then you create a podcast to clarify. We were discussing what words to use to release a dog from a stay/sit/down/drop/wait and now there is a podcast. I think my current recall word might be "Cheese" or "Ch" (Chicken)... Sit is probably my most broken verbal cue. I can get instant response with hand signal. Pick my battles. PS my release word is "Go". "Go Play", "Go Sniff", "Go Say Hello"...

[@lanetterodriguez945]

I’ve always used ok as a release cue, mostly when feeding 😆 I’ve had Shelties and they have all had an enormous propensity for language and don’t seem to confuse when I am speaking to them or to someone else. I had a sheltie that used to love to bark at the ceiling fan. One day as the weather was warming up, I turned to my friend and said, is it getting warm in here? My sheltie jumped up, eyes on the fan in anticipation. It blew my mind!!! She was listening to my conversation understanding words I had never taught her! I have taught cues in multiple languages like sit, in English, German, and Japanese, all at the same time. She recognized the multiple cues to have the same meaning. I suppose it varies with each individual dog. My current pup is sharp, but no where her equal. I am going to teach him “ break” as a release. I like the way it sounds! Thank you for these videos! I am learning so much! You make it easy to get the desired behavior from my dog!

[@TrainingHudsonAndMaisie]

Simple and efficient communication that's effective is so appreciated. Thanks!

[@darleenmuhly529]

I would love those buzzers! How fun to teach my girls!

[@kayrosswog7572]

Nothing better than listening to your podcast while on the spin bike...time flies!!! No matter how much I listen to you I always find a GEM or some food for thought. 💕

[@ml4242]

Susan your podcasts have been so helpful for training me train my Border Collie puppy. I have had more success with your methods then the old traditional obedience classes

[@dogsinvt]

That's a fun prop!

[@MickieHines]

I really enjoy your podcasts! Training now for obedience trials and I appreciate your input greatly!! Thank you!

[@phyllpascoe9953]

A year and a half ago I found myself with 3 young Weimaraners. 8 months between oldest and youngest. Thank absolute heavens I found you Susan! I have learned, and continue to learn, so much from you! And I’m loving your podcasts the topics of which just seem to turn up exactly when I need them! 👍😊

[@ciannacoleman5125]

I have secondary down and sit lol. If I tell my dog to "go lay down" it means find a place to lay but you don't need to be released. "Have a seat" is usually when we are heading out for a walk and she is too excited to already be in a sit. These ended up coming about naturally in life and work pretty well, but my "formal" commands were not reinforced enough so she has abysmal duration lol. Things I plan on changing with my new dog and maybe improving in her but she is old and well behaved so not really "necessary"

[@amyv.1382]

Amy V. We don’t have our puppy yet but are preparing. We will be getting him shortly and our family is pretty excited. In our anticipation, we watch training videos so we can be a bit more prepared. Thank you for what you do on here to help us out. 🎄

[@chelseacurto3464]

My wife and I listen together every week! Thank you for your insights, humor and reality checks.

[@joannaexley3388]

Can't wait for the new videos! I have watched every. single. episode. cannot recommend them enough!

[@karengordon9680]

Gosh yes, with so many articles right now abounding about how dogs don't undertsand vowels, it's great just to get down to basics and remind ourselves how we actually use words

[@lynne-sheltiesrock2322]

Great podcast as always! Funny about dog's names... I'm from NY and I never realized how many times a day I said "gotta" - until I named my dog Gotta! Now I've changed my conversation word to hafta! I wondered how you two were going to handle her name being This! Back in the 70's, my grandfather actually thought my U.D. High in Trial Sheltie was stupid because he wouldn't lie down when he gave the command "rest!" - the word that he used for his Collies. It meant nothing to my Sheltie, whose down command was "down!" I gave up trying to change my stubborn Grandfather, and taught my dog that "rest" meant "down" - mainly because my Grandfather thought is was ok to slap my poor dog on the head for being bad. So wonderful that Susan has taught millions of folks to move from their outdated, harsh methods into the joys of positive DO LAND!

[@katerynafensom6829]

Always looking forward listening to you x

[@chrisrakauskas5131]

I love ALL of these podcasts and continue to spread the word about "Do-Land" as much as I can! And, yes, TONE is everything! I do freestyle with my dogs and, in the beginning, wondered what word to use for "bow," because that word sounds so much like "down." I ended up saying 'TAKE a bow," sort of singing it from a higher pitch to a lower pitch, with the words all sort of running together, but with more emphasis on "take," and it works really well! But it's definitely more about HOW I say it rather than the words themselves.

[@KaluShrekMaya]

I just love listening to these podcasts. Even though I am a long-time online Susan Garrett student, they are always educational. And this one made me laugh. Been there done that! And it really shows that thinking about your cues is worth the time spent. I used "ok" for my first two dogs, until Recallers opened my eyes. I got away with it because I had somehow always said "ok" in a high-pitch voice in training, but never in a normal conversation. Showed me how my tone of voice is very important. For my youngster I chose "free" for it to be different from my other dog's release cue, which is "break". "Free" works well for me, but yes, I encountered the hickup with the 1-2-3 game. I turned it into a 0-1-2 game. Doesn't roll off your tongue quite as well, but does the trick. And I often use "ready-steady", so all is good. Worth the trade off for me so that I can release my dogs on different cues.

[@dhagen9384]

Great information!

[@qldsafari]

I subscribe to a lot of podcasts but Shaped by dog is by far the best I have ever listened to. I learn something from every one & not just about dogs. The training you offer is just brilliant for anyone interested not just in training dogs but learning about themselves & other people as well, love it!👍👍👍

[@copestuart]

Your podcast, whatever topic you cover, is always of greater common sense, BUT......we often never think of it until YOU mention it that gets you saying to yourself:"boy, that makes sooooo much sense"😉😊

[@carolnickens5956]

Love the buttons- our pup acts like she truly understands how to push ours.

[@MtnGirl98]

I always use OK and never have had a problem with it, but I think I'm going to change it to Break simply because I'm doing a lot of re-training of foundational skills in agility so my girl, at age 7, has been in warp speed learning mode and loves it. Why not give her something else/new to keep her brain working and to make her think.

[@kathyk7434]

Great information again 👍🏻. I always learn something valuable when I listen to your podcasts. Thank you 😁

[@karenmacguigan6805]

Thanks Susan. I’ll start the training to eliminate OK today!

[@andreajennings2967]

I love the way these podcasts totally change the way you approach being with your dog. They make me so curious about my behaviour and what it is I do that affects the outcomes. Just got to watch I don’t spend all my time thinking instead of training 😂

[@kerensamckie8211]

I think this is a real gem in understanding how to train our dogs. Awesome

[@DylanCragle]

Absolutely love your information, clear, easy to follow directions. My 4 month old puppy has learned so much already, I have! You should have seen my dogs face when he hear your sounds! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@petproductreviewnet]

I’m guilty of using "okay". Just now training a puppy for the first time in years, I fell back into the habit. I love the word “break” and I’m sure Gusto will too.

[@funkynoodles57]

Thanks for all your amazing tips and tricks for shaping a great family pet!

[@kristinarnold2546]

Ok has always been in my dog training as a release word! I'm going to have to rethink that! Love the podcasts!

[@michellebrodsky636]

I only listen to podcasts that make me laugh or teach me something. Shaped By Dog does both! Toby is my first dog and he says thank you Susan Garrett.

[@dianecogs4348]

Perfect timing! Have a new puppy, 10 weeks old....looking for clarity from the beginning ... I did not have the knowledge of training with my other 3 dogs until we found Susan Garrett... so now we are all learning and relearning cues!! THANKYOU SUSAN!!

[@valeriasvensson5197]

Great content as usually 🙌 I have listened to all of your podcasts so far 👌And I think they are a great addition to your fantastic classes🔥 Thank you Susan 🙏❤️

[@Whoanellietraining]

This episode is great! I will be sharing these points with all my clients. I always love how Susan makes dog teaching so common sense and understandable for even the most rookie dog person. Being a part of Susan's training community has changed how I teach my dogs, teach my clients, and how to be a better person by understanding life from a dog's perspective.

[@deborahseline]

Thank you for this (!) clearly stated.

[@nancyhuman7696]

So glad you’re on KZbin

[@udderman1966]

You are the best! I love listening and learning. Thanks so much for your words of wisdom.

[@jobunton8876]

This has been such a relief hear. I have struggled with cue consistency. This is a podcast to re-listen to again and again. My little merle girl is 2 now and is agility mad, as am I. I really want to get it right for her. I often see the 'what do you want of me look🤔 Thank you Susan and the team. At 58 and new to agility with my first border collie since I left home at 18! I am very grateful to have found you. Jo with Juno, Somerset, England.

[@dcbragg]

Love the podcast. Always listen on my phone. This is the first one I've watched. So much fun. Love the graphics and video effects.

[@megschmieder552]

I love when I get notifications of a new episode. I love these 😁❤

[@windywilliamson5069]

Yeah of course things become clear to me. Thank you. You know how you have always said Bob Bailey is your mentor? Well I would have to say your mine. ⛺

[@allisontraynor2870]

Another great podcast. I had been using ok as a release word but changed to break when I joined Recallers. It definitely created more clarity for my dog. ❤️

[@DogsThat]

Thank all for joining in Podcast #52 random comment G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y!

 This podcast’s giveaway of the Learning Resources Answer Buzzer Box will go to: SplinterFox 
SpinterFox you can reach out to us at: [e-mail] where we will need a few private details to follow up on getting you your Buzzers! 
 Follow along with the our Podcasts for more chances to join in!

[@CJC5Cents]

I will be working to switch from “okay” to “break” this week! I love listening to your podcast. I alway listen while I am taking my pups for their sniffy walks (and still rewarding and paying attention to them at the same time 😄).

[@maryborie6478]

Thank you, so very much for sharing your special wisdom ❣️ Looking forward to listening to all of your podcasts. Sincerely, Mary Borie 😺🐶🐶🐾

[@madisonsherwood6220]

Love this one! Thanks Susan!! I’m getting a new puppy soon and this convinced me not to use the word “stay” or “ok!”

[@MalakaiBoarder16]

CANT GET ENOUGH! Thank you Susan for all the great knowledge you've shared with us!

[@bridgitgilmore]

I love all your programs, Susan! And this podcast is super as well. And (happy brag) I knew the answers to both of the questions! The buzzers look like great fun, hope I win them! Keep up the great, inspiring work!

[@danielbryant1596]

My puppy arrives in three weeks and I'm binging Susan to be as ready as I can. Thanks so much for the great content, tips and knowledge.

[@acaussies]

I love every single episode of this podcast! REALLY REALLY good stuff! Thank you!

[@loyal_dogs]

My 4 most used words are in that order "good boy/girl" "sit" "sad" ("are you sad?" Is my cue for shaking the head which is my Shepherd's favourite trick 😂), and "free" (it is my release word and since I'm not an English speaker, I never use it other than with my dogs 😁)

[@superdoo2009]

Love the podcast! The graphics are great, too!

[@petrawestbury5023]

I my standing at attention to this episode Susan, my puzzle pieces are slowly coming together I am one for voice tones for some time now voice pitch is important high tones low tones, short words drawn out short words. Learning more efficient ways to train my blind dog Fern. Definitely want all my dog owner friends to get on board, my share button is just getting bigger every day. So excited about this episode, and of course all past episodes, have made a full journal on all episodes and a special journal on fern addressing her training, and have encouraged my dog friends to do the same. My energy is pumping to move forward towards better training methods and relationships we can have with our dogs. I am so energized thank you Susan looking forward to getting on to your home dogs program. 🤩😀👍PS. I do Rally 0 with fern, so need to learn how to stop her knocking my leg. Maybe I could use the word space. Whole new training session coming up to keep certain distance from my knee when doing Rally 0. Think I am answering my own question here. Will also work on this when we walk on lead around block. We are off for a morning walk now.

[@azogal53]

Definitely going to "break" the "okay" habit and "free" my dog for "release." 😉 Seriously good advice that makes perfect sense. Thank you Susan! ❤️

[@brenshober7417]

Love this. Clarity 💜🐾🐾💜

[@traci635]

I changed my release word to Break when I joined Recallers recently and my dog learned it very fast....stay or wait was taught in his introduction to Rally....so I won't be using it going forward....thank you for clarifying why certain words get ignored

[@joannewall3616]

Loving all of the podcasts. I listen to them over & over. I joined Recallers & HSTD earlier this year & am loving how your positive reinforcement training is working with our new pup & our other dog. Thank you so much 😊

[@hankaskacanova7500]

Another amazing podcast 😍

[@theresaweber2765]

Love your perspective on the cue words and the reasoning why certain words are better than others:):)

[@katherinecollmer1094]

Wonderful training for dropping the work “ok.” And now I understand that “stay” is redundant! Thank you.

[@karenneufeld8367]

I appreciate Susan so much!! I live in British Columbia and I wish i would have known about her from the beginning! I even missed this draw for a prop but if she's still doing it, I'm in! 🥰

[@niyatim]

You're an inspiration. My dogs are thriving with all your guidance!

[@elviamercuri7846]

I still get caught using "ughhh", so funny how you interpret what they must be thinking...lol. Your explanations are so logical. Thank you for your continued help in growing a good relationship with our furry family members!

[@jessicajarsak7812]

I do too lol

[@teresasombati3339]

More wise words of wisdom..thank you. I especially love the use of sounds instead of words. I couldn’t figure out why my dog would always lie down when I was teaching her a bow...duh bow..down🙈

[@mikeymine1]

Susan, I have been following you and your training for years and you always keep your advice fresh, new and pertinent. Thank you for your positivity. My dogs and I have benefitted.

[@sovaydesitges]

Excellent video as always. Sisu and I would sure love to win that prize and how to train it. ❤️

[@itchy4pony]

I listen to your podcast while I drive to work . I have all 4 of my dogs in the car with me , so they listen too !!! My dogs go with me everywhere , I love dogs and want to train them even better so I have been following you for months now 😊 Thank you for all you do to help us communicate better with our dogs !! I also want to say a HUGE thank you for the free training you shared with all of us during covid 🙏🏻 I enjoy how real and funny you are when you share with us , easy to listen to and I can’t wait to learn more 😊

[@lynng8989]

Great as usual. Time to change my release word.

[@KarlaandZac]

Great common sense podcast on “verbal communication” with your dog how not to confuse him/her and get meaningful repetitive responses. Love at - as usual!

[@KarlaandZac]

Meant to type loved it! Might add I changed from OK to Break a while ago. On walks I have an added verbal “Off you Go” which means not only break from car/lead etc.. but you can go explore, swim, play and generally have fun, until I call you back.

[@carrieforrester6263]

awesome video, so much common sense 🤣

[@ldavis-henry5065]

Love these podcasts. I am a newbie to your world of dog training but luckily many of your ideas are not totally new to me after watching other professional dog training videos almost every day for many many years. My “guilty pleasure” and love learning from my dog each and every day. Your use of “ok” made me smile. I had this as release word for first dog. Too funny sometimes when I used it without realizing she would release. 2nd dog changed to “free”. Now with 3rd dog using “free” I will change to “break”. Or I like the “reeeee lease”. 😂. Thanks for sharing all of your amazing experiences and insights into dog training and behaviors. Working my way through in order then will repeat and take notes 😁🙏

[@juleebishop5735]

That is pretty enlightening. Makes such total sense. I was picking up that I never heard the 'stay' command, so had to look into it.

[@debibuchholz8040]

Thank you for talking about these words. I agree, with my clients, OK is the word most people use and it is a problem...and yes, 'free' is the 2nd most used....same issue. I also agree with the redundancy of 'stay'. Thank you for sharing this! I also use 'break'.

[@nancyt.4228]

thank you, very informative

[@erinhildahl6932]

So helpful! I have been catching myself using "stay", & "good ______", & am trying to eliminate them. I have been keeping a list of my cues over the years, just to keep track, & make sure they are different enough, & also, in case 1 becomes "poisoned" & needs to be changed.

[@JediKarolyNovh]

Love the "answer buzzer" targets! And the prop looked great.

[@dalestorm5248]

Fabulous podcast as always! Thank you, Susan!

[@nancyhooper1742]

Awesome as always ❤❤❤❤⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@sandrajones5378]

I've listened to all your podcasts while I'm out walking my dog but had to see the This! demonstration. Brilliant but more importantly you made me aware of my misuse of 'okay' ... have already started on changing to' break'

[@XamonWasHere]

I don’t use “ok” I use “break”, but my dog will sit by me and wait until I respond “Yes” when I’m on the phone. I mean I encourage it because she sits there so nicely instead of acting like a hooligan. I’ll just drop a treat when I say yes. I do the same when I’m having a conversation and she zooms up to me and sits nicely lmaoo.

[@anyadornak1508]

I have recently started using the word "break" as a release queue, but have been struggling......I can't wait to try this process! Brilliant! Thank you Susan!

[@chele519]

Denzel and I would love to get a box of the buzzers! We are in all your programs (except IC Peeps) and we love them! We already had your programs when he came to me so he learned Break from the beginning

[@amywong8844]

Amazing podcast as usual. Very insightful. Have to be more careful of what and how I use my words. Loving HSTD!

[@tessadavies5385]

Love these podcasts - recommend them to all my classes!

[@gretasimmons8987]

You a gem 👍 what a wonderful find! ❤️

[@shellyjohnston4113]

Another great podcast with amazing information! I totally assumed the word you would never use would be "come", didn't even think about "okay" however now it makes complete sense. So very thankful that I found your podcasts and website! All of the information learned has been shared with my family members so that all of our dogs may live a better and happier life

[@avae3894]

Love this podcast! One of my favorite resources, all the episodes are so informing, it’s really helped me with my new puppy!

[@janetjones2092]

Great information! I am learning so much, and can see where in the past I was less than clear to my dog. Thanks to Susan and her team for all of his amazing instruction!