Obedience training
How do you teach a dog a release word?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Choose a cue such as free or break to tell your dog that a held position has ended. In an easy, short stay, say the word and then invite the dog to move. Practise the same ending consistently. There is no need to wait until the dog breaks position on their own to introduce the cue.
Make the ending easy to recognise
Begin with a position the dog can comfortably hold near you. Reward while they remain there, then give the release cue and encourage movement. A small movement from you can help explain what happens next. Keep this separate from making the stay longer or walking farther away.
Use a word the household can apply clearly
The important feature is consistent use, not a universally correct word. A very common conversational word may be used accidentally, so consider how your household speaks around the dog. Agree which exercises need an explicit ending. A casually offered sit need not become an obligation to remain there indefinitely.
When the dog moves before release
Make the next hold shorter or easier and reward the intended position. Do not punish the movement or immediately demand a longer stay. Check whether the position, surface or surrounding activity is comfortable. A release cue should clarify the task, not become a reason to prevent a worried dog from moving away.
Maintain ordinary safety
Do not rely on a release word to control access to roads, open doors or another animal. Keep the physical arrangement safe while teaching and using it. Record the cue and meaning for anyone else helping with training so the dog is not receiving different endings from different people.
Key takeaways
- Say the release cue before encouraging movement.
- Keep early holds easy and comfortable.
- Agree what the cue means across the household.