The dog release command is the start and the end of every other command that you give your dog. If you tell your dog to sit and the dog complies for example, you must release it so that it can go on to do other things. In an effort to please you or convey that it fully understands your command, the poor thing might continue to follow a command when it isn’t appropriate to do so.

Issue the dog release command with a gesture to come near you or freely roam about with the statement, "release," "okay" or, "go play." The gesture can be a wave of the hand or a finger pointing to a different area of the home or yard.

The dog may not catch on at first, but once you begin a different activity that no longer needs the dog to follow a particular command, the dog will eventually do something else when it recognizes that your behavior has changed. There’s no need to reward a dog for releasing since not following a command (i.e., not being under your control) could be reward enough, however throwing a toy or treat in the distance to entice the dog out of a particular position may be required for stubborn students.