Release Marker

What Is a Release Marker?

A release marker is a word that tells your dog a maintained behavior has ended and they’re free to move.

At BFF, common release words include:

Free, Break, or Okay.

The specific word matters less than consistently teaching the dog what that word means.

Why Do We Need a Release Marker?

If we ask a dog to Sit, Down, or Place, we want the dog to understand when that behavior actually ends.

Without a clear release, the dog may begin deciding for themselves when they’re finished.

Sit might mean sit for three seconds.

Place might mean stay there until something more interesting happens.

A release marker removes that guesswork.

The Release Becomes Part of the Behavior

Once a dog understands the concept, behaviors such as Sit, Down, and Place can become implied stays.

You don’t necessarily need to repeatedly tell the dog:

Stay. Stay. Stay.

The original cue tells them what to do.

The release tells them when they’re finished.

Be Careful With Your Release Word

Whatever word you choose should be used consistently.

If “Okay” is your release word but you casually say “Okay” throughout conversations while your dog is maintaining a behavior, you may accidentally release them.

That’s one reason some handlers choose a word such as “Free” or “Break” that they are less likely to use accidentally.

Release Doesn’t Mean Reward

A release marker tells the dog the behavior has ended.

That doesn’t necessarily mean a reward is coming.

This is different from our terminal marker, “Yes,” which tells the dog they performed the correct behavior, the behavior is finished, and a reward is coming.

The Bigger Picture

Clear beginnings and clear endings make behaviors easier for dogs to understand.

The cue tells the dog what we’re asking them to do.

The release marker tells them when that responsibility ends.

Instead of making the dog guess when they’re finished, we tell them.