The Kindred LexiconEvery word and activity in the word tree.
Real training for each one.
52 words · 48 activities
Words
Tier 0 · Foundational
- Name RecognitionDog turns toward you at their name
- AttentionDog offers eye contact on cue
- Hand TargetDog bumps their nose to your palm
- SitDog puts their rear on the ground and holds it
- Take ItDog takes an offered object into their mouth
- Drop ItDog releases whatever is in their mouth
- Collar GrabDog stays calm when you reach for their collar
- Lure FollowingDog tracks and follows a treat in your hand
- Mat TargetingDog steps onto a designated surface on cue
Tier 1 · Basic
- DownDog lies down with elbows on the ground
- StayDog holds position until you return and release them
- WaitDog pauses briefly until given the next command
- ComeDog comes to you, fast, from anywhere
- Leave ItDog turns away from a temptation on cue
- SpinDog turns in a full circle following a hand lure
- ShakeDog lifts a paw into your hand
- StandDog rises from sit or down to a standing position and holds it
- KennelDog walks into a crate or kennel on cue
- SpeakDog barks once on cue
- KissDog gently licks your hand or face on cue
- Find ItDog searches for and locates a hidden treat or toy
Tier 2 · Intermediate
- Roll OverDog rolls from a down onto their back and over
- CrawlDog moves forward while staying in a down
- High FiveDog raises a paw to slap your open palm
- HeelDog walks in position at your side
- PlaceDog goes to a designated spot and settles there
- Back UpDog walks backwards away from you
- MiddleDog walks between your legs and sits facing forward
- FetchDog retrieves a thrown object and brings it back
- QuietDog stops barking on cue
- Chin RestDog rests their chin on your hand or a surface
- Cross PawsDog crosses one front paw over the other while lying down
- Target StickDog follows and touches the end of a target stick
Tier 3 · Advanced
- Play DeadDog rolls onto their side or back and stays still
- Sit PrettyDog sits upright on haunches with front paws raised
- BowDog lowers front end with rear staying up
- Leg WeavesDog weaves in and out between your legs as you walk
- CatchDog catches a tossed treat or toy in the air
- Balance TreatDog balances a treat on their nose until released
- HugDog wraps front legs around your arm or leg
- PivotDog pivots their rear end around while front paws stay on a target
- TugDog grabs and pulls a tug toy only when cued
- Ring a BellDog presses a bell with nose or paw to signal a need
- Wipe PawsDog scrapes front paws on a mat
Tier 4 · Expert
- Retrieve ItemDog fetches a specific named object from a group
- Jump Through ArmsDog leaps through a hoop formed by your arms
- Walk on Hind LegsDog takes steps forward on hind legs only
- Cop CopDog places front paws on your feet and walks with you
- Retrieve to HandDog fetches an object and delivers it precisely to your hand
- HandstandDog walks on front legs with rear raised against a wall
- ReboundDog jumps off a surface and bounces back toward you
- Open/Close DoorsDog pushes or pulls a door open or shut
Activities
Practical
- Leash UpDog sits, holds still for the collar grab and leash clip, then waits at the door before walking through
- Doorbell MannersDog goes to their mat and holds a stay while you answer the door
- Dinner Prep SettleDog holds their place while you cook, ignoring dropped food
- Rainy Day Wipe RoutineDog waits at the door, then wipes their paws on the mat before entering
- Potty BellDog rings a bell to signal they need to go outside, then waits for the door
- Walking Past DistractionsDog heels tight, maintains attention, and ignores temptations on a walk
- Street CrossingDog sits at the curb, waits for your cue, and heels across the street
Brain Game
- Find the TreatDog goes to their mat while you hide treats around the room, then searches on release
- Treasure HuntMulti-room scent search where the dog finds items, picks them up, and brings them back
- Name That ToyDog finds and retrieves a specific named toy from a group
- Muffin Tin PuzzleDog nose-works treats out of a muffin tin covered with tennis balls
- Sniff & DeliverDog locates a hidden object by scent and delivers it precisely to your hand
Trick
- The ShowstopperA classic trick sequence: sit, bow, spin, and play dead
- Bang! You're OutPoint a finger gun, dog dramatically flops and holds until released
- Dance RoutineDog spins, weaves through your legs, then walks on your feet
- The GentlemanA polite greeting sequence: shake, high five, bow
- Circus ActDog jumps through your arms, spins, and catches a treat in the air
- Fancy PoseThe photogenic setup: lying down, paws crossed, chin resting
Impulse Control
- Treat on Nose ChallengeBalance a treat on the nose, hold, flip, and catch: the ultimate patience test
- Wait for DinnerDog sits, waits while the bowl is placed, maintains eye contact until released
- Ignore the SquirrelStructured walk past high-value distractions with attention and impulse control
- Threshold DrillDog waits at a threshold and is released to come through on recall
Fetch & Retrieve
- Classic FetchStructured fetch with a clean take, return, and release
- Tidy Up ToysDog picks up specific named toys and drops them into a basket
- Bring Me My ShoesDog fetches a specific named item from another room and delivers to hand
- Two-Ball FetchContinuous fetch loop: drop one ball, catch the next mid-air
Cooperative Care
Energy Burn
- Rainy Day WorkoutRapid position changes for physical and mental exercise when you cannot walk
- Indoor Obstacle CourseAn agility-style sequence using furniture and body positions
- Hide & SeekDog stays while you hide, then searches for you on recall or finds you by scent
- Tug-Drop-SpinStructured play loop that burns energy with built-in impulse control
Outdoor
Bonding
Enrichment
- Egg Carton ForageHide treats in an egg carton and let the dog tear it apart to find them
- Towel Roll-UpRoll treats inside a towel so the dog has to unroll it with their nose and paws
- Frozen KongStuff a Kong with food and freeze it for a long-lasting enrichment session
- Snuffle Mat ScatterScatter kibble in a snuffle mat and let the dog forage through the fabric strips
- Scatter FeedScatter kibble across the grass and let the dog graze with their nose
- Box PuzzleNest boxes inside each other with treats between layers for the dog to disassemble
- Ice Block TreasureFreeze treats and toys in a block of ice for a summer excavation project
- Paper Bag CrinkleToss treats in a paper bag and let the dog crinkle, tear, and nose their way in