Hello all,
Is this a sit stay or a down? I've taught mine using 2 methods.
1) I taught one of my labs to 'mark it' which means watch (usually food or a ball with labs!!). I would then give the positions and stay command eg. sit - stay, or down-stay. I then took a small step to the side before leaving. This 're-inforces' the dog that you don't want it to go with you. I always step off with my right foot for stays and my left for heelwork. Place the 'mark' item on the floor just enough infront that the dog would have to break position in order to get it. Always take the food back to the dog and stand for a short while BEFORE releasing it, or the dog will anticipate your return. Start really short times and distances and work your way up - i vary the time and the distance. (It is harder for some dogs to do a stay with you closer, but for a longer time, than it is for some dogs to do a shorter stay with you further away) - I hope that makes sense
- It is harder IMHO to teach a sit stay this way as the dog's natural position is to lie down to watch the 'mark'
2) I trained a dog that really didn't like the stay and we tried it this way - The dog was a bit worried about being on his own, but would happily stay next to something that belonged to the owner - We used a large rucksack at first - Using a weaving pole put in the ground behind the dog, we put his lead over the top of it, and then put the bag next to him. He did a short stay and gradually we used smaller and smaller bags until he was happy on his own.
I find the two most important things to remember, is generally not to look into the dogs eyes (Unless its a very anxious dog and needs the re-assurance) - this is often taken by the dog as a sign that you want him to get up and come running up to you spraying you with as much mud as is caninely possible!! of maybe thats just my lot.
The second thing is that when you get back to your dog, don't go raving bonkers as start jumping up and down praising him. I don't mean that you can't praise him at all, but end the exercise quietly, mine all roll over for a belly rub from the down stay!, turn and walk a few paces before going nuts! This helps to keep the dog in the stay position when you walk up to him rather than hopping up and down and saying 'mum, mum, look what i did, aren't i clever!!.
I've used these methods with all of mine for working trials - the sit stay is for 5 minutes with the handler out of sight and the down is for 10 minutes with the handler out of sight, either on their own, or more likely in a line-up with other dogs (The most number i was ever with was 28 dogs - quite a sight
)
Good luck all, Ali
