The
STAY Instruction: "Freeze
in that exact position until
released."
Begin
by teaching sit and down. If
the dog does not know these
Instructions, teach these first
and practice until the dog will
perform for praise alone, without
any food.
First Choice Method
1)
Any
time you see the dog relaxed,
and laying comfortably around
the house, begin to introduce
the word "STAY"
then begin praising as if
the dog had done something
great. If the dog starts
to get up to come to you,
say COME and praise the
come. If he stays, praise
STAY. He can't lose!
The goal is to introduce
the sound STAY as a positive.
2)
Begin
to teach the more formal
STAY while standing in front
of the dog. Start by requesting
a SIT, but don't let
the dog know you have food.
3) Put
your (non-food holding)
hand in front of the dog's
face in a stiff arm, open
hand position, as if your
were indicating "STOP"
to a driver coming toward
you. As
you move your hand to
this position, say STAY.
Do
not back away from the dog
until he can "stay" for at
least 15 seconds when you
are right in front of him.
Begin by taking one step
back, then forward to where
you started. |
4)
Hold for one second, then
praise if the dog did stay.
If the dog moves, say COME,
SIT, and
try again. Start
with
rewarding short periods of stay
and gradually increase time by
seconds and increase to minutes.
If your dog moves, keep a patient
good humor, and simply put back into position.
5) The
most effective correction
is given just before the
dog changes position.
Verbally REMIND
him with a "STAY"
if you sense he is about
to move,
quickly praiseand
release.
Work in short,
successful sessions.
6)
While
he is staying, periodically
repeat
the words, "Good stay"
in a soothing reinforcing
tone. This is called an
"Instructive Praise"
where the dog is rewarded
for DOING the Instruction, WITH
the Instruction word in a praising
tone.
7) When
reliable, the hand
signal communicates the
instruction, but once the Instruction
is given, the stay continues
until released. Choose a
release word such as "OK!"
or "All done!"
8)
Do not back away until he is reliable when you are right in front of him for at
least 15 seconds. Begin by taking
one step back, then moving
forward to where you started.
Then take two steps back,
then one step to the right,
then to the left and then
work toward walking around
and further away from the
dog. Most people try to
go too fast. Take it in
baby steps.
Do
not walk away from the dog
until you can walk all the
way around the dog at a
distance of a foot or two
without the dog moving.
|
Second Choice Method
Using a leash, position the
dog sitting at your left side,
with the leash in a straight
line up into your left hand.
With your right hand give the
flat hand in front of his face
"stop" sign, and
say STAY. Step immediately in
front of the dog to prevent
his moving, and slacken the
lead. If he moves, use the leash
to put him back into position.
Keep it upbeat and encouraging,
and praise as if it was his
idea. Work toward your encouragement
keeping him in place instead
of the leash.
After
one of two seconds, give your
release word, and walk to a
new spot and practice again.
Practice in a variety of places
and locations, or the dog will only
learn to stay in one context.