STOP AND DROP

       

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.

  • Call your dog to come; tone of voice is important. Keep your come cue low-key so your dog moves a bit more slowly towards you (as opposed to running at full speed).
      
  • As your dog moves towards you, very decisively put your hand up in a signal a traffic cop would use as you say “stop.” Being decisive is the key here; be firm and bounce your hand back slightly (recoiling) when you execute the stop hand signal.
     
  • Once your dog stops, immediately mark it with a verbal marker (or a clicker if you are clicker savvy). I like to use a high-pitched “yes” as my verbal marker. The marker lets your dog know what he did at that precise moment is exactly what you wanted. The marker then becomes a bridge to a tasty food treat; quickly walk over to your dog (before he moves) and reward him.
      

  • Ask your dog to stay and again walk away from your dog. Repeat the process.
       

  • Practice this until your dog understands what you want.


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.

  • Ask your dog to stay and back up several feet.
      
  • Calmly call your dog to come.
      

  • Once he takes a step or two, use your “stop” hand signal and verbal cue.
      

  • Immediately after your dog stops, use both your hand signal and verbal cue for the down.
      

  • Walk over to your dog; praise and reward your dog and then either leash him or release him.
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  • Once your dog becomes proficient at the stop and drop, practice it using only hand signals so you are confident your dog will respond, if necessary, without verbal 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!

Luvk9s Dog Training