The ‘Middle’ Command: Teach Your Dog to Walk Between Your Legs (Peekaboo)

Before we jump into the steps, let’s gather our supplies. The great news is you don’t need any fancy equipment for this command. Simplicity is key!

The Essentials:

• High-Value Treats: These are the special, super-tasty treats that your dog absolutely loves and doesn’t get all the time. Think small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or hot dogs. The better the reward, the more motivated your dog will be to learn.
• A Positive Attitude: This is the most important tool! Training should always be a fun and positive experience for both of you. Keep your sessions short (5-10 minutes is perfect) and always end on a high note.
• A Clicker (Optional): If you use a clicker in your training, have it ready. A clicker is a great tool for marking the exact moment your dog does the right thing, but a verbal marker like a happy “Yes!” works just as well.

Expert Tip: Make sure your treats are small and easy to swallow. You’ll be giving a lot of them during a training session, and you want to keep the momentum going without your dog spending too much time chewing.

This is the most common way to introduce the ‘Middle’ command. We’ll use a treat to ‘lure’ your dog into the correct position. It’s like a fun game of follow-the-leader!

1. Get Into Position: Stand with your feet a comfortable distance apart—wide enough for your dog to easily pass through. If you have a small dog, you might need to take a bigger step.
2. Lure Your Dog Through: Hold a tasty treat in your hand. Show it to your dog to get their attention, then move the treat behind you, passing it through your legs from front to back. The goal is to have your dog’s nose follow the treat, guiding their head and body through your legs.
3. Mark and Reward: The instant your dog’s head is between your legs, say your marker word (“Yes!”) or click your clicker, and give them the treat. Timing is everything here! You want to reward them while they are in the ‘Middle’ position.
4. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: Do this several times in a row. Let your dog reset after each success and try again. You’re building a positive association with the action of moving between your legs.
5. Add the Verbal Cue: Once your dog is reliably following the lure, you can add the word. Just as you start to lure them, say your cue clearly and happily: “Middle!” or “Peekaboo!”.
6. Fade the Lure: After many successful repetitions, start making your hand motion smaller and less obvious. Eventually, your dog should respond to the verbal cue and the sight of you standing with your legs apart, without needing the treat lure.

Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned, and that’s completely okay! Training is a journey, not a race. Here are a few common bumps in the road and how to smooth them out.

• My dog only puts their head through. This is very common! It usually means you’re rewarding a little too early. Wait until their shoulders are also between your legs before you mark and reward. You can also toss the treat a little further in front of you after they come through to encourage forward motion.
• My dog is hesitant or scared to go through. Never force your dog. If they seem nervous, make the space between your legs wider. You can also try just rewarding them for approaching your legs, then for sniffing, and gradually work up to them moving through. Keep it super positive!
• My dog just walks around my legs instead. This often happens if the lure isn’t clear. Make sure the treat goes directly down the center line. You can even practice this in a hallway or with a wall on one side to limit their option to go around.

Once your dog has mastered the basic ‘Middle’ command, you can start having some real fun with it and integrate it into your daily life.

Advanced Moves:

• Walking Middle: From the stationary ‘Middle’ position, take a slow step forward and encourage your dog to move with you, rewarding them for staying between your legs. It’s a fun way to move around and looks very impressive!
• ‘Middle’ as a Recall: In a safe, fenced area, ask your dog to ‘Come’, and when they are running towards you, spread your legs and ask them to ‘Middle’. It gives them a clear target to run to and can make recall more reliable and fun.
• Distance ‘Middle’: Ask your dog to ‘Stay’, walk a few feet away, turn to face them, and then cue ‘Middle’. This builds their confidence and understanding of the command from a distance.
• The Perfect Photo Op: The ‘Middle’ command is a fantastic pose for photos! It perfectly frames your happy pup and captures the bond you share.