The Importance of Wording in Dog Training 🐾

Dogs aren’t machines, they’re sentient beings who we share our lives with 🤖❌

As a dog trainer and behaviorist, I use the word “cue” rather than “command”. This is because “command” implies control and force, whereas I am asking a dog to perform a behaviour - so I use cue.

If the dog doesn’t perform the behaviour - it’s not because I didn’t command them hard enough, it’s because the reinforcement wasn’t good enough, we haven’t practiced in this situation enough, they didn’t hear me or they didn’t understand me.

“Cue” is a request, in fact I often find myself saying “can you sit” or “could you sit” 🤣🤣 “Cue” fosters trust, understanding, and a strong bond between you and your dog, which ultimately helps them perform the behaviour you’ve asked for better and more reliably!

Simply because - we don’t own them, they’re sentient beings who we share our lives with 🐶❤️

As a trainer and behaviorist, I use the word “guardian” rather than “owner”. This is because “owner” implies possession, like an object, and our pets are so much more than that. They’re our companions and our partners in life, with their own personalities, thoughts, likes and dislikes!

Using “guardian” emphasises the care and responsibility that comes with having pets. It reminds us that our role is to guide, protect, and nurture them!

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