Training sheet: Teaching “Middle”

🎒Preparation▼

🍖

Treats

Small and tasty

👖

Loose clothing

So you can open your legs easily

💡

Starting position: Stand with your legs wide enough apart for your dog to pass through comfortably. Your dog is facing you or beside you.

🎯The lure phase (step by step)▼

The invitation

Hold a treat and pass your hand between your legs, from behind.

Passing through

Draw your dog into the space between your legs, guiding them with the treat.

Positioning

Once your dog is between your legs, head facing forwards (the same direction as you), say “Middle!” and give the treat.

Staying put

Give several small treats in a row while your dog stays in position, so they understand that this is where they should be.

🗣️Introducing the verbal cue▼

Linking the word

Say “Middle!” (or “Under”, “Post”) just as your dog steps between your legs.

Praising

Say “Middle!” and reward warmly as soon as your dog is well positioned.

🎓Fading the lure▼

A hand signal without food

Make a small hand gesture to show the space between your legs, without holding any food.

Reward from your pocket

As soon as your dog gets into position, take out a treat from your pocket or your other hand.

Building duration

Gradually increase the time spent holding the position before giving the reward.

💡Final tips▼

Your dog's comfort: If your dog hesitates to go between your legs, never force them. Open your legs wider or work against a wall to guide them.
The sitting position: You can ask for a “Sit” once your dog is in “Middle” to steady the position.
Progression: Once the cue is learned while standing still, try a few very slow steps. Your dog must learn to walk while staying between your legs.
Release: Always use a release word (e.g. “All done” or “OK”) to tell your dog they can come out.