Cues vs Commands - And why I'm going to use "Signal"

 

Cues, Commands, what’s best?

Dog training has come a long way in recent years, but I will be honest, I have never used the word “command” when training dogs. Upon moving to Canada, I started to hear this word a lot. Let’s look at why I choose alternate words like Signal or Cue rather than using Command in reference to what behaviours a dog knows (or is being taught) when asked.

I recently made a post on this and it was met with some mixed reactions. But let me explain my thinking here, first, let’s look at the definitions of each word. To start with, lets cover “Command”.

What does Command mean?

The definition of Command can be found below.

com·mand /kəˈmand – verb

1.  give an authoritative order.
2. dominate (a strategic position) from a superior height.
   “the two castles commanded the harbor”

Noun
an authoritative order.
“it’s unlikely they’ll obey your commands”

So we have authoritative orders, domination and commands. I’m not sure about you but when I think of these words I think of someone imposing, who is rigid, strict and expects respect, often these types of people are very entitled and expect everyone to bend to their whim. Some, not all, will use fear or pain to motivate who they command. It conjures up a picture of war, or of an unwavering ruler. Unfortunately, a lot of trainers or guardians who use the word Command expect their dog to listen and obey them without question, even if you don’t use fear or force with your dog, you may still say “Command.”

“What’s the problem with that?” I hear you ask. “I’m not using aversive techniques or tools, and I am used to saying command.” Well, let’s look at why using command in reference to our dogs can be harmful.

Sticks and stones may break my bones…

….But words will never hurt me. Oh how… untrue that phrase is. This phrase was often used in our childhood and even is still used now for when we want to mask our pain to others. We use it to try and deflect what hurtful things had been said, but wouldn’t you agree that most physical injuries we have sustained, – unless severe – we can’t recall?

Now, do you remember most of the insults you have received during your life? I know I do. Words can have a deep, hurtful, psychological affect on us.  Just as words can upbuild us or tear us down, our choice of words when dealing with others can often influence how we view them and how we act.

This happens far more than we realise. Positive thoughts or speech about ourselves and others has been shown to foster a more optimistic outlook, this in turn can alter our brain chemistry to change its makeup. Our thoughts become our words and our actions, so even just using “command” can alter our perception of our animals, encouraging our brains to view them as less, or something lower than us that has to listen to our every whim. Even if we don’t realise it, this happens. So much so that there are psychological studies on this, and it is an established fact.

Making small changes to our language and words can help us view our dogs as the sentient, amazing beings that they are. Worthy of our respect, not the other way around. Let’s continue with our definitions, next up is “Cue.”

What does Cue mean?

noun

1. a signal (such as a word, phrase, or bit of stage business) to a performer to begin a specific speech or action.
   That last line is your cue to exit the stage.

2. something serving a comparable purpose : hint
I’ll take that yawn as my cue to leave.

a feature indicating the nature of something perceived

The expressions on people’s faces give us visual cues about their feelings.

3. archaic : the part one has to perform in or as if in a play.

Another meaning:

to give a cue to : prompt – cued the band to begin

to insert into a continuous performance –

Following this definition, what comes to your mind? Perhaps like me, you think of an actor or an entertainer waiting for their stage cue. Some people commented that this can conjure up an image of an entertainer who is willing to perform for us. But I have to disagree with this line of thought. Entertainers have willing entered into that contract, they also have the power to not perform if they wish. Dogs on the other hand usually don’t get as free a pass with that. If they don’t want to perform, they are labelled as stubborn or ignorant, rather than us not being clear or us asking too much of them.

Yes, using cue can prompt our dogs to perform a certain behaviour we ask of them, but it can also subconsciously affect our view of them. Using cue can bleed into us viewing our dogs as willing entertainers, but they are not. If anything, they are learners in this relationship with us. We shouldn’t really be taking the position of stage director and entertainer who listens to our cues. Not to mention, dogs with severe behavioural issues do not feel safe enough to perform cues we ask of them. Time needs to be spent with them, learning what they need, reading their signals, body language and communication in order to help them feel safe. To help them get to a place where they do want to engage with us, not as a performer, but as a companion.

Now, please don’t get me wrong, Cue is a preferable word to Command, because as we have established, words matter. If they didn’t, there would be no need to use Cue instead of Command.

As I mentioned earlier, some dogs do not feel safe enough to enter into a “entertainer” type relationship with us. Sure, some dogs enjoy tricks and performing behaviours, but it is unfair of us to use this to paint all dogs with this brush so to speak. Dogs are incredible, emotionally intelligent creatures who teach us more than we teach them. They aren’t robots, and while they do bring us endless joy, they are not here to entertain us or to obey our every whim.

But let’s look at our final word here, and why I am choosing to move away from using Cue, to use “Signal” instead.

What does Signal mean?

signal – /sĭg′nəl/

noun

1. An indicator, such as a gesture or colored light, that serves as a means of communication.
2. A message communicated by such means.
3. Something that incites action.
   – the peace treaty was the signal for celebration.

So, Signal is a pre-arranged form of communication between the parties concerned. This can be verbal signals, falling in that line of communication. It can also cover visual signs for deaf dogs, and even touch/verbal signals for blind dogs.

The main argument I have met with using Signal is “it’s too broad.” Well, in a way, isn’t that the point? Yes a lot of people interpret Signals as smoke signals, or visual signals. The point was also raised that using Signal instead of Cue is irrelevant and Cue is better because we can liken it to Hunger being a cue to eat, or thirst being a cue to drink. But, those feelings come about from the brain sending Signals, not cues. Signal is the scientific term for it. Do you know what those signals are also referred to as being? They are referred to as a cooperative action. This is a more collaborative term that helps us view our dogs on more equal footing. Viewing them as beings that we want to communicate with, as well as them communicating with us.

Maybe its because I come from a background of Sign Language, but I have never heard of Signal being used solely in dog training when referring to visual signs. We always called visual movements signs, or gestures, which both fall under the definition of Signal, which in turn is communication.

A signal, much like cue does give the dog a choice on whether to act to our request, but I find that Signal does this without conjuring up the performer aspect.

I don’t want my dog or my clients dogs to entertain me, I want to communicate with them. I want to help them feel safe, I want to send signals to them, and I want to receive signals from them. Training should be an equal exchange of communication, it shouldn’t be made up of demands. Learning can only take place when the learner/dog agrees to it and can handle the exchange of information. This is one reason why using games to train our dogs can be so effective.

Signal is a broader term, but Signals are predecided by the parties involved. That decided signal, means that outcome. That’s what training is like, we decide a Signal, for example “Down.” We teach our dog that we want them to lie down when we send that verbal signal. That expected outcome is the same as being “cued” to lie down, but the difference is we are viewing our dogs as an individual, capable of free will.

True respect is having a bond with your dog that is built on trust. Not prompts, demands or coercion.

People may have taken this as alienating, or thought that I am insisting that people use the word Signal. That was never and still is not my intention. The purpose of my social media post and of this blog is to look into each meaning, and discuss why I personally feel like its time for me to move away from Cue.

I prefer Signal now, to me it is even kinder than Cue, it really gives the dog a clear signal to respond to. It grants them autonomy and like I mentioned earlier, it is inclusive of dogs with disabilities, as well as helping dogs with severe behaviour issues feel safe, rather than us constantly prompting them to perform a behaviour.

If you still want to use Cue, go ahead! I am a force free trainer, and I am not forcing you to change the words you use. I am just stating my personal opinion, I feel that using Signal will help me to be a better trainer. That is what I am constantly working towards, to keep learning and to keep improving.

A little while ago, I posted a short series about positive reinforcement and ethics in dog training. I feel that series links very closely to this.

Rules that we abide by in training are as follows:

• The dog/learner must be comfortable
• The dog/learner must be allowed to learn at their own pace
• The dog/learner must be stimulated positively to learn

And what of Canine Ethics? They are as follows:

• Freedom to be themselves
• Agency over their lives and bodies
• Freedom from pain, threats and fear
• Freedom to practice natural behaviour
• Respect for the individual they are

Positive Training should involve kind thoughts and actions, patience. It should also be very dependent on the learner being receptive. Engaging in this way with our dogs and being kind begins with our thoughts and words.

When ‘cues’ where first introduced to dog training rather than ‘command’, it was met with hostility. People don’t like change, but without change, we can’t progress. People also said that Cue and Signal are interchangeable, I personally disagree, yes they have similar meanings, but they are still different words with their own definitions and their own perceptions.

A car signalling to turn may not physically affect us, but it is a clear signal of intention. We understand the consequence of that car doing that. Just as we may signal in our own car to let others know what we are doing, and how they can respond to that (Like braking, if they or we don’t slow down, we’ll crash into them).

A signal is a clear communication of a predetermined action. We have to teach and be taught that action, then associate it with that signal. That’s what training is, we teach our dogs and we are taught by them. If I have taught my dog recall, and signal to my dog that I would like them to come to me and they do, that is successful communication, just like that car ahead of me signaling to turn and slowing down, I would respond to that to keep myself, and others safe.

As I said earlier, please don’t view this as me telling you what to do, we all have free will after all, and if you were personally offended by this, then I am sorry. The purpose of this article and my post was to look at definitions, see how our words can affect our interactions with others, and to state why I personally came to the conclusion that I would like to use Signal from now on rather than Cue.

In conclusion, thank you for reading this article if you got this far, it is appreciated!

At the end of the day, if we ensure we are being kind and looking for consent in our dogs when we work with them, we’re communicating clearly and giving them the choices and respect that they deserve.

 Carefully researched and written by: Becky Osborne

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