How One Kitchen Command Changed Everything
Hello, Barrkera Pack!
At Barrkera, we believe in living with our dogs, not around them. Sometimes the best training ideas come from everyday problems. Today we want to share how a simple kitchen safety issue led to one of our most useful commands, and how you can create your own version that works in any situation.
The Problem We Never Expected
Picture this: you're cooking dinner, carrying a pot of boiling water or a sharp knife, and your loyal dog is right there at your feet. Sound familiar? Most dogs love being close to their people, especially in the kitchen where good smells and dropped food happen. But having a 50-pound dog underfoot when you're handling something dangerous isn't just inconvenient, it's unsafe for everyone.
We needed our dogs to understand "give us space" without making them feel rejected or banished. Traditional commands like "stay" or "down" didn't work because we wanted them to move away completely, not just hold a position. We needed something that meant "go somewhere else entirely, but you're still welcome in our home."
Why We Chose a Foreign Word
Here's something most people don't think about: your dog hears common words like "go," "move," or "out" in regular conversation all day long. If you use these same words as commands, your dog gets confused. Are you asking them to move, or are you just talking to someone else about moving furniture?
We were standing in our kitchen, looking for inspiration, when we looked up the Norwegian word for cheese: "Ost" (pronounced "ohst"). Perfect! It was short, clear, and definitely not something we'd say in normal conversation. Plus, it felt right for a kitchen command.
Identify
Before you start teaching your version of this command, watch your dog's natural patterns:
Where do they like to be when you're busy with tasks?
Do they follow you from room to room?
Are there times when you need space but don't want your dog to feel punished?
The goal is creating a command that gives you breathing room while keeping your relationship positive.
Respond
Teaching a "create space" command works best when you pair it with gentle, consistent guidance. Unlike commands that ask your dog to perform a specific action like "sit," this command asks them to make a choice about where to go. That means you need to help them understand what you want through repeated, patient practice.
The beauty of this approach is that it uses positive association. Your dog learns that following this cue keeps them part of the family while also keeping everyone safe and comfortable.
Training Steps
Choose Your Word
Pick something you'll never say in normal conversation. Foreign words work great: "Plaats" (Dutch for place), "Lejos" (Spanish for far), or make up your own sound like "Skedaddle."
Start in One Specific Area
Begin where you most need space. For us, it was the kitchen, but yours might be your home office, the baby's play area, or near the front door.
Say the Word and Guide
Use your chosen word in a calm, matter-of-fact tone
Walk toward your dog, encouraging them to move in the direction you want
Don't push or force, just use your body language to guide them away
The moment they move in the right direction, stop following and offer quiet praise
Reduce Your Movement Gradually
After several repetitions, try taking fewer steps toward your dog
Eventually, you should only need to take one or two steps after saying the word
Your dog will start moving before you even move toward them
Test in Different Situations
Once your dog understands in the original location, try the command in other areas
Use it when you need space on the couch, when company comes over, or when you're doing floor exercises
Keep the same calm tone and be ready to guide if needed
Celebrate the Success
When your dog responds by creating space, acknowledge it with gentle praise
Never make this command feel like banishment, just like creating healthy boundaries
How One Command Elevated Our Relationship
What started as kitchen safety became something much bigger. When we had a long day and needed a moment to breathe, we could ask our dogs to give us space without hurting their feelings. When our youngest started crawling and needed floor space to explore, our dogs naturally understood to move aside. When friends come over and need room to sit, the dogs politely relocate without drama.
The most beautiful part? Our dogs don't see this as rejection. They learned it's just another way we communicate our needs, and they're happy to accommodate because the request is clear and fair. We're living together as a family, each member understanding and respecting the others' space.
The Science Behind Success
This command works because it gives your dog agency. Instead of forcing them into a specific position like "stay," you're asking them to make a good choice about where to be. Dogs actually prefer having some control over their environment, and this command respects their intelligence while keeping everyone safe and comfortable.
Barrkera Pack Action Plan
Choose a unique word that you won't use in regular conversation
Start training in the area where you most need space
Use calm body language to guide your dog away, never force or push
Gradually reduce how much you move as your dog learns the command
Practice in different locations once your dog understands
Keep the tone positive so your dog doesn't feel rejected
Be patient, this can take several weeks to become automatic
The magic isn't in the word itself, it's in the consistency and respect behind it. When you teach your dog to create space on request, you're not building walls between you, you're building a language that helps your Barrkera Pack live together more harmoniously. Sometimes the smallest commands make the biggest difference in daily life.
About Barrkera
Barrkera provides personalized, positive dog training for families and pets across North Dallas-Fort Worth, serving Southlake, Keller, Grapevine, Colleyville, Euless, Roanoke, Trophy Club, and neighboring North DFW communities.
All training is hands-on and takes place in your home or favorite public spaces, tailored to your real-world routines and challenges. Whether you want to master obedience in Keller, build reliable leash manners in Grapevine, or nurture your puppy’s confidence in Southlake, Barrkera helps you and your dog succeed in the environments that matter most.
Why Choose Barrkera?
One-on-one, customized training designed for your goals and lifestyle
In-home sessions and public space coaching, no group classes or generic solutions
Proven, positive methods that deliver noticeable results at home and beyond
Consistently recommended by North DFW dog owners
Service Areas:
Southlake, Keller, Grapevine, Colleyville, Euless, Roanoke, Trophy Club, and nearby North DFW areas.
Ready to build a stronger bond with your dog in North DFW?
Contact Barrkera today for a consultation or set up an appointment to ask us about your dog behaviors, and discover why so many families in Southlake, Keller, Grapevine, Colleyville, Euless, Roanoke, and Trophy Club trust our expert in-home dog training.
Barrkera – Empowering North DFW’s dogs and their families with guidance, support, and compassionate training.
Common Search Terms
Dog won't give me space | Teaching dog to move away command | Kitchen safety with dogs | Creating boundaries with pets | Living peacefully with dogs