#232 Polite Public Manners With The Under Cue

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Ever wish your dog would tuck quietly under your legs at a café instead of sprawling in the walkway? We break down a simple, reliable “under” cue that turns public outings from stressful to smooth, giving your dog a clear job and you a calmer experience. You’ll hear exactly how to teach it at home, layer in a relaxed down, and merge both skills so one word cues a tidy tuck and a settled stay.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:02):
When you're sitting at a patio cafe or park bench or
even your own kitchen table,wouldn't it be nice if your dog
just tucked neatly under yourlegs instead of sprawling out in
the walkway?
That's what the undercue is for,and it's one of the most useful

(00:24):
behaviors that you can teach forpolite public manners.
I started teaching scooter underbecause every time we sat
outside somewhere, he was rightthere in middle of the foot
traffic.
If I reached over for my coffee,he'd shift.

(00:44):
If someone walked by he'd moveagain.
Now when I say under, he slidesright beneath my legs and stays
tucked in like that.
And here's a tip.
Even larger dogs can fit underyour legs if you sit forward on
the edge of the chair.
They don't have to fold up likeorigami, they just need to

(01:08):
understand the concept of getunderneath my legs, stay calm
and wait.
So here's how you train it.
You're gonna start at home.
Sit near the edge of a sturdychair with a few treats ready.
And then lure the dog.
Hold a treat near your dog'snose and guide them under your

(01:30):
legs or under a table.
And when they follow the treat,mark it.
Say yes or click and reward.
And then add the cue.
Once your dog starts followingthe lore smoothly, say under
right before you guide themunderneath your legs.

(01:51):
And then make them comfortable.
Reward several times whilethey're under your legs so they
learn that staying there paysoff.
Then you're going to add thedown cue.
After your dog gets the idea ofgoing under, start pairing it
with the down cue.
Under and then down.

(02:13):
And then reward calmly for thesettle.
And then merge the two.
As your dog improves, you'llfade the second word, and under
will mean go under and lay down.
And then you need to practice inreal life.
Take it to the patio, to thepark, or even a waiting room.

(02:36):
The goal is to make under areflex for any public setting.
And here are a couple of tips.
Use a mat if your dog likeshaving a clear boundary.
It gives them a target zoneunder your legs.
And if your dog tries to backout, keep it easy, shorter

(02:57):
duration, bigger rewards.
And then gradually increasedistractions so the cue works
anywhere.
Just remember, under teachesyour dog where to be, and that
alone can make every publicouting calmer, safer, and more
enjoyable.

(03:18):
And once it's solid, you'll beamazed at how natural it feels
to give that single word andwatch your dog quietly tuck
away.
So the next time you're sittingdown with your dog beside you,
try under instead.
It's polite, practical, andgives your dog a job that makes

(03:40):
sense.