Luring

How To Teach Luring

Hold the lure close to the dog's nose and move it slowly enough for the dog to follow. To teach sit, move the lure slightly upward and backward. To teach down, lower it toward the floor and then move it forward between the paws. The moment the dog reaches the desired position, mark and reward.

After a few successful repetitions, begin fading the visible food. Make the same hand motion with an empty hand and reward from the other hand. Then reduce the size of the hand signal. Add the verbal cue only when the movement is predictable. Say the cue once, pause briefly, and then give the hand signal.

Avoid holding the lure too high, moving too quickly, or allowing the dog to bite at the food. If the dog is jumping or spinning, slow down and place the lure closer to the nose. Do not continue luring for weeks. A dog that only responds when food is visible has learned to follow food, not the cue.

Luring is useful for introducing positions, turns, heel location, crate entry, and body movement. It works best when paired with marker training, reward placement, and a clear fading plan. For dogs that become frustrated or overly focused on food, shaping or capturing may be a better option.

Relatable Child Psychology Analogy
Think about helping a young child learn to write a letter. At first, an adult may guide the child's hand through the movement. As the child understands the pattern, that physical help is gradually reduced until the child can write independently. A lure serves a similar temporary purpose for a dog. It helps create the movement, but it must be faded so the dog learns the behavior instead of waiting to see the food first.