March 20, 2026
How do I teach my dog the "break" command?
Full Question:
HiI was wondering. I have almost finished the intermediate obedience course, and I sometimes see video's of dogs that can really hold a command, or hold a specific type of focus and when we the people say 'break', the dog knows it can go and do whatever.
Are there courses that zoom in on this behavior?
Thank you
Leerburg's Answer:
These behaviors are taught with a deep understanding of using markers to communicate with your dog, and building up duration with lots of repetitions. Consider checking out Power of Training Dogs with Markers.
Here is an article from our website to give you an introduction to the depth this topic holds: https://leerburg.com/markers.htm
Here is an article from our website to give you an introduction to the depth this topic holds: https://leerburg.com/markers.htm
User Response:
Does the 'break' command also come into place into these courses? Because I do work reward-based with markers but only with 'good' to add duration and 'yes' to finalize the command, as was thought in the obedience courses. But I would like to introduce the break command.
Leerburg's Answer:
"Break" is usually a marker that is introduced as a way of saying "you did good, you are free, but you are not getting rewarded for this" unlike the way you would with a "yes" or "good".
User Response:
Yes indeed I thought so already, that's why i'm wondering if there are courses where this comes into play?E. G. If I go and walk my dog in the woods, the ultimate goals would be to have him running freely, but when I say a command, I want him to come and walk besides me, and then when I say 'break', he can go again.
I'm wondering if this specifically comes in one of the courses? Want to make sure I buy the right one.
Leerburg's Answer:
Our courses teach the concept of markers and what a release command is, but I don't believe we have a specific course that demonstrates this scenario.
We have a course on Hiking Etiquette with Your Dogs which you might find helpful.
Our content is structured to give you the theory and knowledge of how different concepts and techniques work. It is up to you to apply that information to the areas you need it in.
In your example scenario, depending on your dog's age and level of training, I would build up 2 skills before going off-leash in the woods. First, I would teach and generalize the "Break" command so the dog understands he is free to do whatever. You can do this with place board or place bed training or adding duration to behaviors (Like asking for a lay down, and after a minute releasing them with "break" until the dog learns they are to stay laying down until you release them from position.) The second skill I'd work on building up would be a reliable recall.
I recommended The Power of Training Dogs with Markers because it teaches you what a marker system is and how to build the vocabulary you want to use with your dog. Teaching the "break" once you have a communication system installed is the easy part. Teaching the recall and engagement when you want your dog to listen to you in a distracting environment is the hard part.
We have a course on Hiking Etiquette with Your Dogs which you might find helpful.
Our content is structured to give you the theory and knowledge of how different concepts and techniques work. It is up to you to apply that information to the areas you need it in.
In your example scenario, depending on your dog's age and level of training, I would build up 2 skills before going off-leash in the woods. First, I would teach and generalize the "Break" command so the dog understands he is free to do whatever. You can do this with place board or place bed training or adding duration to behaviors (Like asking for a lay down, and after a minute releasing them with "break" until the dog learns they are to stay laying down until you release them from position.) The second skill I'd work on building up would be a reliable recall.
I recommended The Power of Training Dogs with Markers because it teaches you what a marker system is and how to build the vocabulary you want to use with your dog. Teaching the "break" once you have a communication system installed is the easy part. Teaching the recall and engagement when you want your dog to listen to you in a distracting environment is the hard part.
User Response:
thank you very much for the information. I do sometimes hesitate to but the courses like hiking etiquette because a lot seems like repetition from the courses I already have.I will look into it tho. Thank you!
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