Rethinking My Use of Certain Verbal and Silent Commands

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Recently I have begun to question a word and  hand signal I use for Tara's training.

 

In particular the word "okay" for a release word and the hand signal I use for "come" which is my arm straight up with fingers pointing straight up too (palm flat).

 

The use of "okay' has come into question because several times Tara has been under a "stay" command and  heard the word "okay" and released herself prematurely from the command.  If I remember correctly this is also how Gracie Doodle ended up in the fountain during her photo shoot!! So I don't think I am alone in this particular issue.

 

What do others of you use for a release word and are they working well for you? If you use "okay" have you encountered any problems with it?

 

The hand signal I use for "come" actually works well  but I guess I am looking for something more subtle. Okay, this is probably vanity on my part but I don't always feel comfortable walking around with my arm over my head LOL!! So I tend to keep it lower and this confuses her.  I know, I know I just need to GET OVER IT. I started using it because I read that if your dog is far away from you or it is very noisy that they can easily see this particular signal. So it is probably a good one.  I'm just curious what others of you use as a silent/hand signal for "come"?

 

I'm interested in hearing any other problem or issues  you may have experienced with certain commands. Perhaps it will help others of us to avoid them in the future.

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I tend to clap too. It doesn't seem to qualify as either a verbal or silent command so it must be in a class of its own!! I think I do it for the same reason you do-to generate excitement. I'm all for ANYTHING that gets her to COME!! :)

[Thom, Aureo & Bowie]

I have always used the command FREE to release Aureo. It is a word that means what is intended but does not get mixed up with everyday words that may be said at the wrong time. It has worked well as he waits until he is FREEDED from the current command.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I use the word, "released," to indicate that my dogs can move about after a "stay" command.  To come from a distance, I whistle instead of using a hand signal, because sometimes I want them to come when they are not facing me, and thus couldn't see the signal.  This way, I shout "come," followed immediately by a piercing ballpark-style whistle.  The whistle works so well that other people's dogs come running to me, too!  I only use "come" when I need them to run to me without hesitation.

For more informal recall, I say, "here."  "Come" is my promise word and I always reward it with a piece of meat or cheese, as I need them to run to me when I say it 100-percent of the time.  If I'm out and not prepared with the meat reward, I say, "come" as soon as I return home and then reward them at that time.  I guess you could choose a different promise word, like quick or prompt or now.  

I totally understand the importance of such distinctions, and know what you're trying to accomplish.  It can be tricky, but oh so important.

[Susan, Schuester and Olive]

My dogs were trained with the word-RELEASE. Works fine.