How do you change a release word?

[cinnamon]

If a person has always used "done" when releasing from a sit, down, etc. and want to change the word to "okay", how do you change?

Would you use the old word first and add the new word. ie "doneokay" or use the new word first "okaydone" and eventually fade out the old word?

Hope this makes sense

[Gena]

I've always done new word then old word. Eventually the dog figured out the old word was coming right after the new word and started responding to the new word.

[smkie]

I had to change VIctor's cues for Leash Pals...including some spanish words that we are still working on. THe woman training us said to use the cue the new word and then the word they know. THat a dog can learn two words, it doens't mean they will lose the first one. It's working for us.

[corgipower]

For a release word, I've found that it doesn't really matter what the word is...but I don't just say the release word...my tone of voice is very high pitched, excited, my body language is animated. The way I say it makes the dog want to get up and play, and when he does, he finds that it's allowed and encouraged. He very quickly figures out what that word means.

[lizzybeth727]

Originally Posted by corgipower

For a release word, I've found that it doesn't really matter what the word is...but I don't just say the release word...my tone of voice is very high pitched, excited, my body language is animated. The way I say it makes the dog want to get up and play, and when he does, he finds that it's allowed and encouraged. He very quickly figures out what that word means.

Agreed!

The only time this wouldn't work is if you proofed your release word REALLY well, so that you could say or do ANYTHING and he would not respond until he heard the word. But most people (including me!) do not proof the release well enough for it to make a huge difference.

Just curious - why are you switching TO ok? Most people start with ok and then discover that they say it way too much, conversationally, for it to really work as a release word. Personally, I like "free."

[corgipower]

Originally Posted by lizzybeth727

Personally, I like "free."

"Free" is what I use.
Except for one dog whose release word was usually "fruitloop".

[Brattina88]

Frootloop - thats great! Maddie's release word is actually more of a hand signal