Training Verbal Cues Used for Guide Dog Puppies

Each of these verbal cues are necessary for guide dog puppies to learn before coming in for training (IFT). Please do not teach your puppy any extra verbal cues or “tricks.” Teaching them anything extra can affect their formal guide dog training and cause them to be released from our programs.

  1. Touch: The verbal cue and physical prompt used to make your puppy touch your fist. This cue is only used for pups 5 months and under.
  2. Place: The verbal cue used to make your puppy move to their designated place mat.
  3. Sit: The verbal cue used to make your puppy place their bottom on the floor.
  4. Down: The verbal cue used to make your puppy lie on the ground in a relaxed manner.
  5. Stand: The verbal cue used to make your puppy stand with four feet on the floor, usually from a sit or down position.
  6. OK: The verbal cue used to release your puppy from any prior verbal cue.
  7. Under: The verbal cue given to get your puppy under a table or chair and lie down.
  8. Come: The verbal cue given to make your puppy come directly to you
  9. Stay: The verbal cue given to make your puppy stay in the position and spot that you told them to until you release them
  10. Leave it: The verbal cue given to make your puppy stop whatever they are doing and pay attention to you.
  11. About: The verbal cue given to completely turn around and walk in the direction you were coming from.
  12. Heel: The verbal cue given to make your puppy move into the proper heel position.
  13. Kennel/crate: The verbal cue given to make your puppy move into their crate or kennel
  14. Enough: The verbal cue given to make your puppy stop playing or being too active.
  15. Go busy/get busy/busy: The verbal cue given to tell your puppy to relieve themselves.
  16. In/Out: The verbal cue given to tell your puppy to get in or out of the vehicle.
  17. Head in/Head out: The verbal cue given to tell your puppy to put their head in or out of the puppy vest. This cue is given while putting the vest on or removing the vest.
  18. Steady: The verbal cue given to tell your puppy to slow their pace down. This cue is given in conjunction to you slowing down your pace as well.
  19. Out/Drop it: The verbal cue given to tell your puppy to drop the item that is in their mouth. With young pups under 6 months, the cue can be given in conjunction with you removing the item from their mouth.