Glossary

Cue

A word, gesture or situation that tells a dog a particular behavior is available and will be rewarded.

Also called: command, signal, verbal cue, hand signal

Trainers often say "cue" instead of "command". A cue is a signal the dog has learned to link with a behavior, such as the word "sit", a raised hand or the sound of the doorbell. In reward-based training a cue is an invitation to earn a reward and not an order backed by a threat.

Dogs read hand signals and body position more easily than words, and many dogs learn both. Teaching starts with the behavior itself, and the cue is added once the dog offers the behavior reliably.

A cue differs from a marker. The cue comes before the behavior and says what to do, while the marker comes during or just after and says that was correct. Changing cue words or tones can confuse a dog that has learned one version.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Marker word A short word, such as "yes", said at the instant a dog does the right thing to tell it a reward is coming. Positive reinforcement Adding something a dog likes right after a behavior so that the behavior becomes more likely to happen again. Basic obedience The core manners most pet dogs are taught, usually sit, down, stay, come, walking nicely on a leash and leave it. Stay A cue that asks a dog to keep its position, such as sitting or lying down, until the owner releases it.