Why New Cues Come First: The Science of Teaching Dogs a New or Alternative Word for the Same Behavior

By Carrie Faber-Johnston

Gold Ridge Cognitive Canines (GRCC)

Have you ever wanted to change a cue your dog already knows - like switching from “come” to “here,” teaching a verbal cue to replace a hand signal, or even helping your dog respond to a new name?

Many people are surprised to learn that how you introduce the new word matters just as much as what word you choose. There is a scientifically supported way to do this that reduces confusion, protects clarity, and helps dogs learn faster.

The key principle is this:

> When teaching a new cue for a behavior your dog already knows, you always say the new cue first, then follow it with the old, known cue.

Let’s explore why this works, what’s happening in your dog’s brain, and how you can apply it in real life.

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Where I First Practiced:

I first learned and practiced this methodology when I started raising guide dogs for the blind at 11 years old, raising 7.5 Guide Dogs for the Blind. It was then reiterated and thoroughly studied during my 4 years at Bergin University of Canine Studies (now College), under Dr. Bonnie Bergin. My education included extensive research, applied learning theory, and hands-on practical work with 15 service dogs, where cue changes, name changes, and multi-cue behaviors were a regular and necessary part of training.

This approach is grounded in classical conditioning, supported by operant conditioning, and refined through real-world service dog work, not solely theory.

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How Dogs Actually Learn Cues

Dogs do not understand words the way humans do. To a dog, a cue is simply:

A sound, gesture, or signal

That reliably predicts an opportunity to perform a behavior

Which then leads to an outcome (reinforcement)

The behavior already exists. What we are changing is the label attached to it.

This means we are not re-teaching the behavior—we are re-labeling it.

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Classical Conditioning: Pairing the New With the Known

Classical conditioning is about association.

A neutral stimulus (something that doesn’t yet have meaning)

Is repeatedly paired with a known, meaningful stimulus

Until the neutral stimulus gains meaning on its own

In this case:

New cue = neutral stimulus (no meaning yet)

Old cue = conditioned stimulus (already predicts the behavior)

The Correct Order Matters

You say:

> New cue → brief pause → old cue → behavior → reinforcement

Over time, the dog begins to anticipate the behavior after hearing the new cue, before the old cue is even needed.

Eventually, the old cue can be faded out. Or you can add multiple words to one behavior.

Some service dog tasks would have three different words/ sounds for the same one behavior. For example, speaking/ barking could have multiple cues (speak, alert, or clicking sound - like calling a horse).

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Why You Should NOT Say the Old Cue First

If you say the old cue first:

The dog responds to what they already know

The new word becomes background noise

No meaningful association is formed

In learning theory terms, the old cue blocks the new cue from gaining efficient predictive value.

This is known as cue overshadowing or blocking, and it’s one of the most common mistakes people make when trying to change commands.

Sure it can work… but I don't personally believe that it is the most efficient way.

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Operant Conditioning: Strengthening the New Cue

Once the dog begins responding to the new cue, operant conditioning takes over.

The dog performs the behavior

The behavior is reinforced

The likelihood of responding to the new cue increases

At this stage:

You may pause slightly longer after the new cue

The dog may "think" for a moment

Then offer the behavior

That pause is learning happening.

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Teaching Two (or Three!) Cues for One Behavior

In my studies, we worked with behaviors that intentionally had multiple cues, such as:

Multiple Verbal cues

Hand signals

Environmental or contextual cues

Dogs are fully capable of learning multiple labels for the same behavior, as long as each cue is taught clearly and independently.

Each new cue should still be introduced using the same process:

> New cue first → known cue → reinforce

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Changing a Dog’s Name Works the Same Way

A dog’s name is just another cue.

If you are changing a dog’s name:

1. Say the new name

2. Immediately say the old name

3. When the dog orients to you, reinforce

Over time, the new name predicts engagement all by itself.

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What This Looks Like in Real Life

Let’s say your dog already knows “down”, and you want to teach “settle.”

1. Say: “Settle”

2. Pause for 1–2 seconds

3. Say: “Down”

4. Dog lies down

5. Mark and reinforce

Repeat over multiple sessions.

Eventually, you’ll say “settle”—and your dog will lie down before you ever say “down.”

That’s learning by association.

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Why This Matters for Clarity and Confidence

This method:

Prevents cue confusion

Preserves trust and clarity

Reduces frustration for both dog and human

Honors how dogs naturally learn

Most importantly, it supports clean communication, which is foundational to relationship-based training.

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Final Thoughts

Changing or adding cues can be a fun communication training exercise, even if it isn't required.

When we respect learning theory and apply it efficiently and thoughtfully, dogs can quickly understand many complex behaviors.

And understanding is where confidence, reliability, and fulfillment begin.

If you’d like help applying this method with your dog, service dog, or brand new puppy, I’d love to support you.

— Carrie Faber-Johnston

Gold Ridge Cognitive Canines

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About the Author

Carrie Faber-Johnston is the owner and head trainer of Gold Ridge Cognitive Canines (GRCC). She completed four years of intensive study at Bergin University of Canine Studies (now Bergin College), where she combined learning theory, scientific research, and extensive hands-on work with 15 service dogs.

Her work focuses on relationship-based training, clarity in communication, and biological fulfillment for both dogs and humans. Carrie specializes in puppies, service dogs, sport dogs, and educating about canine cognition, emotions, training and behavior modification. She is passionate about making high-quality training accessible and understandable for everyone.