Move Over: Teaching Your Dog to Shift to the Side

Video Tutorial Coming Soon: A video demonstration will be added to accompany this written guide.

“Move over” asks your dog to reposition a short distance to the side, creating space while remaining nearby. It can help clear a walkway, make room beside a chair, or adjust your dog’s position during everyday activities.

For this tutorial, your dog may turn and take a few steps to reach the indicated spot. Moving sideways while maintaining a precise body alignment is a separate, more advanced skill.

The cue does not automatically require sitting or lying down afterward. Give a separate position cue when needed.

Helpful Cues to Know Before Practicing

A reward marker, such as “yes”: This identifies successful repositioning and predicts a reward.

Touch: A familiar hand target provides a clear way to guide your dog toward the new location. You can use a food lure if touch has not been taught.

Stand is helpful but optional: Beginning on all four paws makes repositioning easier.

Sit or down is helpful for follow-up: Either can establish a resting position after your dog moves.

What You Will Need

Have small treats ready and choose a quiet area with a nonslip surface. Leave plenty of open space on either side of your dog.

Begin with your dog standing near you. Keep sessions approximately one to three minutes long.

Step 1: Choose a Nearby Destination

Identify a spot a short distance to one side of your dog. Start with enough movement to create a little space, rather than asking them to cross the room.

Present your hand target slightly to that side and within comfortable reach. Allow your dog to turn and step toward it.

When their body moves into the new location, say “yes” and reward there.

If using a food lure, guide them with a slow, small movement. Do not pull on their collar or push their body sideways.

Step 2: Reward Movement of the Whole Body

Initially, your dog may turn their head toward your hand without moving their paws. Adjust the target slightly farther away so reaching it requires a step.

Mark when they actually reposition, rather than merely looking in the indicated direction.

Keep the destination easy to reach. Avoid placing the target so far away that they rush forward or become confused.

Step 3: Establish a Clear Gesture

Repeat the movement using a consistent gesture toward the new spot.

Reward at the destination so your dog does not immediately step back toward you to collect the treat.

Begin in one direction. Once that is comfortable, introduce the other side using the same easy setup.

Your gesture tells your dog which direction you mean. The verbal cue alone does not specify left or right.

Step 4: Add the Words “Move Over”

When your dog predictably follows the gesture and shifts their body, say “move over” once immediately before presenting the target.

Mark their arrival and reward promptly.

Use a calm, clear voice. Give your dog time to move rather than repeating the words or advancing into their space.

Step 5: Fade the Guiding Prompt

Gradually replace the close hand target with a smaller directional gesture.

If using food, practice the guiding motion with an empty hand and deliver the reward afterward from your other hand or a pouch.

Reduce assistance in small increments. If your dog only looks toward the destination, return to a clearer prompt and a shorter movement.

Step 6: Add a Position When Needed

After your dog moves over, ask for a familiar sit or down if you want them to remain there.

Reward the position and maintain its usual implied-stay requirement until released or given another instruction.

Keep the two instructions distinct: “move over” changes the location, while “sit” or “down” establishes the position afterward.

Step 7: Practice Near Everyday Furniture

Introduce the exercise beside a chair, couch, or other familiar furniture, leaving ample room for movement.

Ask your dog to move toward an open, comfortable spot. Reward after they clear the space you needed.

Begin while you remain still. Later, practice repositioning before you sit down or walk past.

Do not step over your dog or move furniture toward them to force the response.

Step 8: Add Mild Distractions

Practice in another quiet room or while a familiar person sits nearby.

Keep the requested shift small and the destination obvious. Increase environmental difficulty only when your dog responds comfortably.

If they hesitate, check whether the indicated area is slippery, crowded, or uncomfortable before assuming they need more prompting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pushing your dog sideways: Teach voluntary repositioning rather than relying on physical pressure.

Rewarding only a head turn: Look for movement of the paws and body.

Pointing without a clear destination: Indicate an accessible spot with enough room for your dog.

Expecting precise sideways footwork: That requires separate training. This exercise permits turning and stepping.

Rewarding back at the original location: Deliver the reward where you want your dog to finish.

Expecting an automatic stay: Add a familiar position cue when you need them to remain.

Repeating the cue while crowding them: Say it once, then clarify the gesture and make the exercise easier.

When to Progress

Increase difficulty when your dog shifts their whole body toward the indicated spot on the first cue in approximately eight out of ten repetitions across several short sessions.

Practice both directions and different comfortable locations. The goal is a clear, cooperative way to create space without pushing, pulling, or repeatedly stepping around your dog.