[Day 43] Learning "out": How to teach your dog to safely release objects
Basic obedience: Day 43 of 56
This video and training is part of the Grunge Obedience Concept, a structured programme to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
The signal word "off" is more than just a command - it is a tool to strengthen the communication between you and your dog. It allows your dog to cancel a current action and concentrate on an alternative action. But why do many dogs find it difficult to reliably perform the "off" in exciting moments?
In this blog, we take a look at the canine background to the "off" signal. Why is it important to train the "off" in a low-stimulus environment? How does conditioning work in your dog's brain? And what does an action cancellation mean from a biological point of view? We explain why the "off" signal is so important for everyday life and how you can build it up in a sustainable and understandable way for your dog.
Goal: Your dog reacts to the signal word "Off" with an action cancellation
Equipment: treats, Harness, Long Leash
Location: Low-stimulus environment
Duration: approx. 10 repetitions with breaks in between
Why the "off" signal is so essential
The "off" signal is one of the basic tools for controlling your dog's behaviour. It enables a cessation of action where your dog stops an ongoing action such as sniffing, chewing or chasing. In evolutionary terms, this is an unusual behaviour because in nature there is rarely a reason to stop a useful or interesting action on its own.
For dogs, "off" is therefore not a natural behaviour, but something that they only learn through targeted conditioning. In the wild, it would be counterproductive to let go of prey or turn away from an interesting stimulus. It is therefore up to us dog people to teach our dogs that the "off" behaviour brings them an advantage and is not perceived as a loss.
Dogs are experts at perceiving their environment through stimuli. Smells, sounds and movements attract their attention and determine their behaviour. When a dog sniffs or examines an object, it is in a state of focus that is rewarded by its brain. Suddenly stopping this action not only requires the dog to redirect its attention, but also to resist its natural impulses.
This is exactly where the "off" signal comes in: it interrupts the stimulus cycle and helps the dog to focus on you. For this to succeed, the signal must be positively linked - through immediate reward and frequent repetition. This is the only way to make cancelling the action understandable and rewarding for the dog.
"Off" means that your dog lets go of any object that is in its mouth. It doesn't matter what the object is - food or a toy, a stick or something else.
It is important to teach a dog to "out" in a sustainable and, above all, joyful way without activating a strong resource defence. For example, if you start to constantly take everything out of your dog's mouth without a well-trained signal word, this can lead to aggression problems towards you. The action of "out" should therefore not be initiated by you, but your dog should perform this action independently in response to the signal word.
On the other hand, the signal word "off" is sometimes also essential for survival as soon as your dog eats something unknown outside. At a time when many poisoned baits are being put out, it is all the more important that your dog knows how to "out" safely.
Training "off" is an enormous challenge for your dog, because on the one hand he has to orientate himself to you, he has to learn a new signal word and he also has to release something from his mouth that he would like to have in his mouth. Such complex behaviours are referred to as behaviour chains because they consist of several sub-actions. Each one is difficult for the dog in itself, and to make training with our dogs as motivating as possible, we build up the training in several individual components.
Only a gradual build-up of the "off" will enable you and your dog to react appropriately in any situation. Rash actions or hasty training will only lead to further problems in the long term. Incorrect training can cause a problem in resource defence.
So stick to the planned learning steps and you will be able to realise your successes easily and in any situation.
As always, set your training goals in stages and don't expect too much from your dog. Behaviour chains are complex learning processes for your dog and the speed must be individually adapted to your dog.
ℹ Why positive reinforcement is crucial
In canine science, it is clear that dogs learn best through positive reinforcement. When your dog performs the desired action in response to the "off" signal, it should be rewarded - for example with a treat or a word of praise. This reward activates the reward system in the brain and ensures that the dog associates the signal with a positive experience.
However, if the "off" is associated with negative experiences such as pressure or punishment, this can lead to frustration. Frustration blocks the learning process and can even lead to your dog ignoring the signal or associating it with negative emotions. It is therefore important to build up the training carefully and always ensure fair communication.
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Summary
The "off" signal is an essential element of your dog's basic obedience. It allows you to direct your dog's behaviour in a targeted manner and guide him through everyday life in a safe and positive way. From a canine point of view, the "out" signal is not just a command, but an important building block in the communication between dog and human.
By understanding how dogs learn and how they react to stimuli, you can make training the "off" signal sustainable. The free training plan for day 43 gives you all the steps you need to build up the signal and make it an integral part of your everyday life.
This video and training is part of the Grunge Obedience Concept, a structured programme to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
The authors: Paulina & Lui
Paulina and Lui are the heart and soul behind Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store]. Her journey in dog training began with the adoption of her first list dog, Vito. This experience sparked her deep interest in teaching other dog owners about dog behaviour and training. Initially this was just a hobby, but with the adoption of the American Pitbull dog Amalia, who had been relinquished several times due to severe behavioural problems, her passion developed into a true vocation. Amalia's particular behavioural challenges intensified her interest in dog training and behavioural therapy. This turning point led Paulina and Lui to leave their original career paths, undergo intensive further training and dedicate themselves fully to the subject of dog training. Their work with human-dog teams also revealed a gap in the dog market: there was a lack of safe, high-quality dog accessories specifically for medium-sized and large breeds.
From this realisation, Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store] was born, a combination of their commitment to professional dog training and the need for quality dog accessories. Paulina and Lui bring their personal experience, extensive knowledge and passion for dogs to every product to help human-dog teams live together.