Imagine this scenario. You are outside with your dog for a quick bathroom break when he notices something moving. As he runs across the street to investigate, you call him to come and to your delight, he immediately turns around and runs back towards you. Suddenly, you notice a car coming down the street. What would you do?
Being able to get your dog to stop – and drop – from a distance is a life-saving skill every dog should learn. Teaching your dog to respond to hand signals in addition to verbal cues is important in case he can see but not hear you.
Your dog should know the down, stay and come cues before teaching the emergency stop and drop.
Teaching stop
Most dogs figure out the stop cue quickly because the body language involved is very intuitive. If you are already using a hand signal for the stay cue, it’s probably very similar to the stop hand signal. The hand signal for stay is usually pointed down at an angle towards the dog; the stop hand signal is held straight out in front of you.
To teach the stop cue, start by asking your dog to stay as you walk several feet away.
Teach the “stop” cue from a few feet away at first and then slowly start to add distance.
Teaching a drop (down) hand signal
There are a variety of hand signals handlers use for a down (or drop). My preference is to raise my arm up straight into the air. This makes it easy for your dog to see the cue from a distance.
When teaching your dog any hand signal, show your dog the (new) hand signal first and then immediately follow it with the verbal cue he is familiar with.
In other words, sweep your right arm up above your head with your palm facing your dog and then immediately follow with the verbal cue “down.” Repeat several times, using the hand signal first and following it with the verbal cue. Once you believe your dog “gets it,” only use the hand signal. Be sure to verbally praise and reward as your dog is learning the hand signal.
Combining the stop and drop cues
Now it’s time to practice combining the stop and drop cues.
Additional training notes
Always go to your dog to release him from the down. It’s important for the dog to learn that the emergency stop and drop is just that; it (could be) an emergency situation and the dog needs to remain in a stay until you physically come and get him. Practice having your dog stay until you get the leash attached to his collar.
If your dog does not stop when you first use the stop hand signal, click here to view an alternative method to teach "stop."
Happy training!