"Come here" in dog training: Explaining its meaning

What does "walking forward" mean for a dog?

In modern dog training, “moving forward” describes an assertive, clearly guided approach by the handler in a situation where a dog reacts with uncertainty, ambivalence, or reactivity. This does not mean confrontation or coercion, but rather a confident posture, a clear advance toward the stimulus, and the handler taking on social responsibility. The concept originally stems from Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) and American reactivity work.

Stepping forward is a tool, not a cure-all. It means that instead of turning away from the stimulus or frantically pulling the dog back, the handler calmly, confidently, and relaxed steps into a situation that the dog would not be able to handle on its own. It is a form of implicit guidance—conveyed through body language, not through pressure, leash jerks, or loud commands.

Background and Academic Context

It has been demonstrated that dogs respond to human body language and emotional states. In the well-known Cliff study, Merola et al. (2012) demonstrated that dogs follow social referencing cues: if the owner appears calm, the dog continues to explore; if the owner appears anxious, the dog withdraws. This so-called social referencing ability is the basis for why moving forward can be functional.

In their BAT 2.0 methodology (Stewart 2018), Stewart and colleagues describe a controlled approach to a stimulus in which the dog retains the freedom to choose. Unlike traditional exposure training, the goal is not to overwhelm the dog, but to allow it to experience: My human can handle this. I don’t have to react.

Research on cortisol (Schöberl et al. 2017) confirms that dogs and their owners synchronize physiologically—stressed owners are statistically more likely to have reactive dogs. This suggests that the owner’s inner state is at least as important as their outward behavior.

Vitomalia-Position

We view walking forward as a valuable tool in leash training and reactivity work—but only if it is done without jerking the leash, without pressuring the dog, and without confronting the trigger. Walking forward is about composure, not force.

We reject: the pseudo-pack-leader style of charging forward that is often promoted in dominance-based training approaches. Bradshaw, Blackwell, and Casey (2009) have convincingly demonstrated that dominance theory is outdated. Charging forward under pressure creates additional stress—not security.

When does moving forward become important?

Moving forward is a good idea when:

• Encounters with other dogs in which your dog reacts with uncertainty (see encounter training)
• unfamiliar sounds or objects in the surroundings
• Door thresholds, stairs, or narrow passages that make the dog hesitate
• sudden stimuli, in which a clear signal from the handler provides reassurance

It is not appropriate to approach dogs that are acutely reactive once they have crossed the threshold, dogs that have been traumatized and with whom no bond has been established, or as a blanket response to fear. In these cases, creating distance is the correct response.

Practical application

1. Check your own posture: shoulders relaxed, breathing calm, eyes looking straight ahead—not at the dog. A tense owner transmits tension.
2. KeepLeash loose: Do not shorten it as you approach. Tension in the leash signals conflict.
3. A clear path: Move straight ahead in a deliberate direction. No zigzagging, no hesitation.
4. Keep up the pace: Walk at a calm, steady pace. Don't rush, and don't stop.
5. Don’t speak to the dog: Talking at a critical moment often conveys uncertainty. Body language is enough.
6. Reward afterward: Once the situation has been handled, actively acknowledge and encourage the child.

Common Mistakes and Myths

• "Stepping forward means confronting the dog." Wrong. It's about the person's attitude, not about putting pressure on the dog.
• "Whoever takes the lead is the pack leader." Outdated. The pack leader theory has been scientifically disproven (Bradshaw et al. 2009, Mech 1999).
• "Pulling forward with a sharp tug on the leash is effective." Aversive methods increase stress and reactivity in the long term (Ziv 2017, China et al. 2020).
• "My dog needs to learn to put up with everything." No—freedom of choice and distance are key. Overwhelming a dog makes it more sensitive; it doesn't help it get used to things.
• "Stepping forward always works." It's a tool for moderate stress levels. In cases of acute aggression or fear that crosses a certain threshold, different approaches are needed.

State of the art in 2026

There are no direct randomized studies on the concept of walking forward. The evidence comes from related fields: social referencing, owner-dog synchronization, BAT outcomes (Pfaller-Sadovsky et al. 2020), and cortisol research. What is robustly established: Owner affect measurably influences dog behavior. What remains unclear: Which specific movement patterns are optimal, how individual dog-owner dyads differ, and at what point a dog benefits versus becomes overwhelmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is stepping forward the same as showing dominance?

No. Dominance-based concepts are scientifically outdated. Taking the lead means providing clear guidance through body language, not forcing submission.

When am I not allowed to go to the front?

If the dog is beyond its arousal threshold, is reacting with panic, or has experienced a specific traumatic event, then keeping your distance is the right thing to do.

Does the "step forward" command work for reactive dogs?

Only as part of a broader training plan and below the threshold of stimulation. On its own, it is not enough to overcome established reactivity.

What is the difference between this and flooding?

Flooding involves exposing the dog to a stimulus in a massive and unprotected way. Moving forward allows the dog to retain freedom of choice and control over the distance—this is fundamentally different.

Related terms

• Walking on a leash
• Social Skills Training
• Aggression in Dogs
• Anxiety in Dogs
• Body language
• Binding
• stimulus threshold

Sources and further reading

1. Merola, I., Prato-Previde, E., & Marshall-Pescini, S. (2012). Social referencing in dog-owner dyads? Animal Cognition, 15(2), 175-185.
2. Schöberl, I., Beetz, A., Solomon, J., et al. (2017). Social factors influencing cortisol modulation in dogs during a strange situation procedure. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 18, 42-48.
3. Stewart, G. (2018). Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0: New Practical Techniques for Fear, Frustration, and Aggression in Dogs. Dogwise Publishing.
4. Bradshaw, J. W. S., Blackwell, E. J., & Casey, R. A. (2009). Dominance in domestic dogs - useful construct or bad habit? Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 4(3), 135-144.
5. Ziv, G. (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs - A review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 19, 50-60.
6. Pfaller-Sadovsky, N., Hurtado-Parrado, C., et al. (2020). Effectiveness of behaviour adjustment training. Animals, 10(11), 2090.