Between your legs: teach the "middle" position
Why it's the most rewarding everyday trick
For your dog, slipping between your legs and then sitting there means accepting a vulnerable position: a real marker of trust. Once the position is loaded with good things, it becomes a shelter your dog chooses, a rallying point that places him with a single word, and a more contained alternative to the "heel" for a sensitive dog. It's all built through reward, without the slightest physical restraint (AVSAB, 2021).
Before you begin
The bare essentials, with a dog who has already been out and is calm.
0 / 5From the pass-through to a held position
Three stages: you only move on once the previous one is smooth, one criterion at a time. And space the sessions out rather than stringing everything together, which helps learning (Demant et al., 2011).
Un passage franc, sans faufilage en crabe.
- Standing, legs spread very wide, pass a treat from the front to the back between your legs.
- Mark the full pass with a crisp "yes!" and reward behind you.
- Stay nice and upright: leaning over the dog makes him hesitate.
- Do it again with an empty hand, same movement, then add the word "through" said just once.
Move on when: Il traverse sur le mot et un geste discret, plusieurs fois d'affilée.
Il vient se placer et s'assoit seul au mot, sans leurre.
- Have him come in from behind between your legs; the lure stops him nose facing forward.
- Ask for the sit and mark in the position, reward between your legs.
- Empty your hand, then say "middle" just before he settles into place.
- Keep a single word for this position, always the same one.
Move on when: Placement et assis fiables avant de travailler la durée.
Il tient la position au calme malgré l'agitation autour.
- Make the treats rain down for as long as he holds the position.
- Extend the duration in stages, with a clear release ("ok!").
- Add distractions one at a time, at a distance first: a passer-by, a noise.
- When you raise the distraction, ease off the duration: one criterion at a time.
Move on when: Le « milieu » fonctionne dehors, là où tu en as vraiment besoin.
A "middle" learned in the living room only exists in the living room at first. Start it over from the beginning, with lowered criteria, in other rooms and then outside, before relying on it out on a walk.
The mistakes that sabotage the trick
When to ease off
You can move forward with confidence
- Your dog goes through and sits without hesitating, relaxed.
- The floor holds and you have room to spread your legs wide.
- He comes back to settle into place on his own: he likes the position.
Better to adapt or give it up
- He'd have to crawl or twist to get through (big frame): spread wider or give it up, he'd only learn discomfort.
- He stays lastingly wary of the overhang despite a gentle progression: this is broader trust work, with a trainer if needed, never by forcing.
- A brand-new refusal appears on a movement that was smooth yesterday: stop and think first of physical discomfort.
- AVSAB — Position statement on humane dog training (2021)
- Demant et al. — The effect of frequency and duration of training sessions on acquisition and long-term memory in dogs (2011)
- China, Mills & Cooper — Efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars (2020)
To go further
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach my dog to go between my legs?
Standing, legs spread very wide, guide him with a treat from the front to the back, mark the pass with a "yes!" and reward behind you. Stay nice and upright, without leaning, and empty your hand as soon as he follows you smoothly.
How do I teach my dog the "middle" position?
Once the pass-through is in place, have him come in from behind, stop him nose facing forward with the lure and ask for the sit: you mark and reward in the position. Add the word "middle" only when he comes and settles into place all on his own.
What is the "between the legs" trick useful for day to day?
It's a real safe position in town: a crowd, a narrow pavement, passing other dogs, your dog tucks into shelter between your legs instead of drifting at the end of the lead. It's also a rallying point that places him with a single word, and a reassuring landmark for a sensitive dog.
What's the difference between "middle", "guard" and "peekaboo"?
"Middle" and "guard" often refer to the same seated position between the legs ("guard" is purely playful, with no defence role). "Peekaboo" is the same idea with an entry from behind and the head popping out between your knees. One behaviour = one word: if two names point to the same position, keep only one.
My dog refuses to go between my legs, what should I do?
Spread your legs wider, lower the lure and above all don't lean over him: the overhang is intimidating. If he stays wary despite a gentle progression, never force it, this is trust work (with a trainer if needed), and a brand-new refusal deserves ruling out physical discomfort.
From what age can I teach a puppy this trick?
This trick is done on the ground, with no jumping or raised position: it suits a puppy well, in very short sessions and on a non-slip floor. Keep the passes gentle, without making him crawl or twist, and stop at the slightest sign of tiredness.
Read nextNext in this pathAttrape au volReadLoading your progress…