Week 1 Stay Command (the beginning)

 Equipment Needed: 6' Leash, Training Collar (or a slip lead instead of the leash and collar) 

 
 
Explanation and Goal of Exercise:  Great for keeping a dog stationary when doing chores around the house.   Stationing a dog in any human or canine social environment when needed.   To keep the dog from greeting too enthusiastically by learning to wait and greet when allowed.   There are many other uses for this exercise.  

The dog is required to perform the position of the command, and stay there until the release word is given.   The handler/owner will be increasing the duration first, add in distractions, and finally add on distance from the dog to this exercise. 
 
NOTE ON STAYS:   DO NOT RUSH THROUGH THIS EXERCISE.   IF YOU STOP AT ONE SECTION, BUT DO THE BEST WORK POSSIBLE THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT.   IF YOU CAME HERE MORE ADVANCED, BUT HAVE TROUBLE AT ONE LEVEL, THEN BACK DOWN TO THE PREVIOUS LEVEL, AND GET THAT DONE CORRECTLY BEFORE MOVING ON.   CORRECTLY GOING ON MEANS THAT THE DOG CAN PERFORM THE TASK WITHOUT TREAT OR CORRECTION FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIMES. 
 
Still Sit Stay Directions: 

 
STEP 1:  Walk or heel with your dog and stop.

 
STEP 2:  Give the "Sit” command.  (Sometimes this is taught with just the sit command, and sometimes the stay command is added.  You won’t break it either way, but just choose and be consistent.    

STEP 3:  The handler/owner will remain by the dog's side as the dog stays.  You can start your dog as low as five seconds and then build the duration up. When they are staying there consistently four out of five times for the duration, I start moving the duration up from 5 additional seconds to as much as 30 additional seconds, depending on the dog. 


STEP 4A:  If the dog attempts to get up, there are a few ways to save the command.  

  • First, give them the “try again” marker word “No.”
  • You can step out quickly in front or step into them to use spatial pressure.
  • As a last resort, you could use the food reward to lure them back into position.
  • NOTE:  IF THEY CORRECT THEMSELVES DURING THE EXERCISE, THIS CAN BE COUNTED AS A SUCCESSFUL REPETITION IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FOUR IN A ROW WITHOUT HANDLER CORRECTING.   IF THE DOG DOES NOT STAY IN POSITION OR DOES NOT CORRECT THEMSELVES, THIS WAS NOT A SUCCESSFUL REPETITION. 
STEP 4B:  If your dog was successful by staying in place OR self-correcting themselves (this is an important learning step for the dog), then use your marker word "Good” boy or girl and a low-key pat (unless your dog needs the higher praise because they are shy or fearful, and not likely to become unglued due to the stimulation). 


STEP 5:  Give your dog the marker release word, “Yes”. (Be sure that good girl/boy or a treat does not ever become the cue to release. If they do release before the release word is given, you need to correct them, and that was not a successful repetition.) 


STEP 6: Repeat.  

NOTE: DO NOT increase the duration until your dog can successfully do them four out of five times at the old duration.   You want to build this exercise up to one minute before going on to the next step. 

 



© 2005 Robin Rubin DBA Mannerly Mutts   

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