Cues vs. Commands: Building Trust and Choice in Dog Training

Learn the key difference between cues and commands in dog training, and why cue-based, positive methods create a happier, more confident dog and a stronger bond.

a ridgeback sitting on a bed awaiting the next cue to suggest another task

When it comes to training your dog, the words we use – and the way we think about them – make a huge difference. You might have heard people talk about “commands” and “cues” as if they’re the same thing, but in my opinion they’re not. The difference goes beyond simple terminology; it’s about how we communicate with our dogs and the kind of relationship we want to build.

Cue or Command – What’s the Difference?

A cue is like an invitation. It’s a friendly signal that says, “Would you like to do this now?” – much like asking a friend, “Shall we go for a walk?”. When your dog responds, they get something they value: a treat, praise, a toy, or another enjoyable reward.

I often see this in puppy class when I say, “Ready!” and a pup sits at my feet, engaging with me, all expectant and waiting for something to fun to happen.

A command, on the other hand, often carries a sense of demand – “Do this now, or else.” The dog has little choice in the matter, and not complying may lead to an unpleasant consequence. This can lead to a very different kind of learning, one based on avoidance rather than enthusiasm.

Trust vs Fear

Cues are built on trust. They rely on positive reinforcement, where your dog learns that responding leads to good things. Over time, this builds a cooperative, respectful relationship – the kind where your dog genuinely enjoys working with you.

I remember a nervous collie in one of my scentwork classes who wouldn’t approach the search area at first. By using soft cues, encouraging body language, and food rewards, she was soon trotting in confidently. She wasn’t doing it because she had to – she was doing it because she trusted it was safe and worth her while.

Commands, particularly when paired with corrections, can be built on fear. The dog may respond to avoid something unpleasant, but that can create stress, reduce their willingness to try new things, and chip away at the bond between you.

“But My Dog Seems Happy When I Give a Command”

Even if you use what you’d call a command and your dog seems happy when they respond, there’s usually more going on beneath the surface. Dogs are brilliant at reading us and often enjoy the activity itself, the reward that follows, or simply the chance to interact with us.

For example, I worked with a young spaniel whose owner used a firm “Come!” every time she recalled him. He always came flying back, ears flapping and tail whirling like a helicopter – but that’s because he’d learned recall through games of chase and tug in the garden, not through pressure. The word might sound like a command, but the history behind it was one of fun and reward, which is why his enthusiasm shone through. On the flip side of that coin, if you haven't associated that behaviour with something enjoyable and rewarding, the dog may be reluctant to return or afraid to leave your side, preventing them from being a dog and exploring when it's safe.

It’s also important to understand that a dog can look outwardly happy even if an aversive has been used in the past to “enforce” a recall. If a dog has previously been punished for not coming back, they may now return quickly with wagging tail and bright eyes – but their motivation is different. They are hurrying to avoid the unpleasant thing they’ve experienced before, and to manage the unpredictability of the human they are running to. That tail wag isn’t always joy – it can be part of appeasement, a sign that they’re trying to keep the interaction safe and calm. From the outside, it can look the same, but the emotional driver is very different.

Encouraging Thinking and Choice

One of the best parts about cue-based training is that it encourages your dog to think for themselves. They become an active partner in the process, problem-solving and making choices to earn rewards.

In mantrailing, I might cue a dog to “Find!” and then let them figure out which scent trail to follow. They’re not blindly obeying – they’re actively deciding where to go, checking the scent, and pushing forward with tail-wagging determination. That choice is what builds their confidence.

With commands, the focus is often on getting an immediate, automatic response, sometimes at the cost of independent thinking.

An example of this would be letting your dog figure out when they can pass through a door without needing you to instruct them to wait or stay. Teaching them to go on cue removes pressure and additional tasks.

The Emotional Side of Training

Ethical, force-free trainers know that emotional well-being matters just as much as behaviour. Training with cues is about keeping your dog happy, relaxed, and eager to take part. You want tail wags, bright eyes, and a “what’s next?” attitude.

I’ve seen this in puppy classes when we practice “settle on a mat.” With a gentle cue, the pups begin to choose to lie down, relax, and maybe even have a little snooze – all because they feel safe and rewarded for calm behaviour.

When a dog is trained with commands and corrections, they may comply – but out of worry or anxiety. That’s not the emotional state we want our dogs to associate with us or with training.

When a Cue Doesn’t Work

If your dog doesn’t respond to a cue, it’s not a sign of stubbornness or disobedience – it’s simply information.

A recent example was a young ridgeback in class who ignored the cue to “stay.” Rather than labelling it as “naughty,” we looked at the environment. Turns out, another dog had dropped a bit of sausage nearby – no wonder her brain was elsewhere! Once we adjusted the distraction level, she was right back to succeeding.

Good training is a two-way street. When we view a missed cue as feedback, we become better teachers – and our dogs become more confident learners.

Key Points

Using cues instead of commands isn’t just a semantic choice – it’s a shift in mindset. It’s about building trust, encouraging independent thinking, and prioritising emotional well-being. Most importantly, it’s about creating a relationship where your dog chooses to listen to you because they want to, not because they’re worried about what will happen if they don’t.

When you invite your dog to learn, rather than demand, you open the door to a richer, more rewarding partnership – one built on respect, joy, and trust.