The Opposite of Confusing
Teaching Dogs Opposites for Clarity & Communication
Teaching opposites, especially “Up” can lead to some fun opportunities
This week I want to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in dog training: opposites.
On/off.
Here/go.
Up/down.
In/out.
It sounds simple, but teaching dogs paired cues like these can be one of the most powerful things you do for communication, clarity, and self-control.
Most of the time, people teach one side of the coin. They teach “come here,” but not “go away.” They teach “get on the bed,” but not “get off the bed.” The problem is, dogs don’t automatically understand the opposite of a cue — they only know the behavior you’ve reinforced (Donaldson, 1996).
Why bother teaching both?
For one, it’s clarity. If I say on, and I’ve also taught off, my dog knows exactly what I’m asking. There’s no guessing.
It’s also enrichment. Switching between cues is like solving little puzzles. It makes the dog think, adjust, and use impulse control. I’ve noticed that dogs who learn opposites tend to be more flexible in new situations because they already know how to listen for fine distinctions; something backed up by research on discrimination learning in animals (Friedman, 2009).
And here’s a big one: safety. A dog who understands “in” and “out” can move in and out of a car, crate, or doorway with precision. A dog who knows “here” and “go” can disengage quickly from something unsafe and head in the other direction. Service dog pioneer Bonnie Bergin has written extensively on opposites as essential to clarity and functional communication in assistance dogs (Bergin, 2001).
Puppy Monty on a low platform learning On & Off
How I teach opposites
I start simple. First, teach one behavior on its own (say, “on” the bed). Then teach the other behavior separately (“off” the bed). Once each is solid, I start alternating. “On.” Reward. “Off.” Reward. Repeat.
Once the dog can bounce back and forth between the two without confusion, we start layering in real-life practice. On/off the couch. In/out of the car. Here/go across the yard.
Every dog is different. Some will pick up the pattern quickly; others need more reps. The important thing is not to assume they “should know” the opposite just because you’ve taught one side.
A science-based lens
There’s a lot of talk in dog training about being “science-based.” For me, that’s not just a buzzword. I bring a background in biology and chemistry to my work, so when I talk about opposites, I’m thinking in terms of actual learning theory: how dogs discriminate between cues, how reinforcement history shapes behavior, and how stress or fatigue affects performance.
Karen Pryor Academy highlights opposite cues as a way to increase clarity and precision in communication (Pryor, 2002). Susan Friedman’s Humane Hierarchy reminds us that we start with low-stress, choice-based teaching, and opposites fit beautifully into that model (Friedman, 2009).
In practice, opposites make learning sharper, clearer, and kinder.
Teaching “up” (Or “Hup,” which is usually what comes out of my mouth), is a great cue for a photo op!
Final thoughts
Your dog doesn’t need to know every opposite under the sun, but having a few solid pairs can change the way you live with them. Imagine being able to direct your dog with quick, clear cues: “in” the crate, “out” of the car, “on” the bed, “off” the bed. No frustration. No confusion. Just smooth communication.
It may sound simple, but trust me: opposites are a game-changer.
References & Resources
Bergin, B. (2001). Service Dog Training Manual. Bergin University of Canine Studies.
Donaldson, J. (1996). The Culture Clash. James & Kenneth Publishers.
Friedman, S. (2009). What’s Wrong with This Picture? Effectiveness Is Not Enough. Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior.
Pryor, K. (2002). Don’t Shoot the Dog! Bantam Books.
Karen Pryor Academy: Opposites and discrimination training in clicker-based methods.
Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT): Resources on cue discrimination and clarity.
