Sit/Stay Down/Stay

SASHAS POPPA · 03-27-2008, 07:10 PM

I am working on Sit/stays and down/stays. I am Just starting to teach stays and want to know how I should teach this. I dont want Sasha to confuse the sit command with the stay command.

adajane1 · 03-27-2008, 07:58 PM

When I started teaching Tia to stay I used a hand signal in conjunction with the verbal command. I now just have to give the hand signal (palm held straight in front of me) and she stays.

I also used to give the sit/stand/lay down command first followed by the 'and stay' command and hand signal.

Hope this makes sense!

**K9Jarko** · 03-27-2008, 08:20 PM

If you concerned about Sasha confusing or anticipating Sit with Stay or the other way around - is it possible for you to use a word that begins with something else for the stay - that does not begin with an S. Another language ie., German, French, Dutch if permitted would be nice for the stay

I personally don't teach - stay - as a "formal command" - stay is sorta automatic. My pups are taught that they are to remain in whatever position (obey last command ie., sit, down, stand) until given another command. I started with the sit with no distractions- once they were solid in maintaining position with me next to them (heel position) for a few minutes...I then took a step forward (right foot first - as one should begin a heel with left foot - and using your right foot should eventually "cue" your dog that he/she is to stay)and faced them using a bridge (saying good). Each day I placed some distance between us - then I eventually turned my back (using a small compact mirror to keep an eye on them). If they break position I immediately mark it with "No" and then I calmly walk to them and take them right back to the exact position they were sitting and give them the command sit again. I should also note that when I bring them back...I bring them back on my right side instead of my left (heel position) for two reasons: 1. it's a cue to them that they did not do the exercise correctly and we are going to begin again 2. If I bring them back on my left and they do a very nice heel with focus - I'm caught between a rock and a hard place because I feel I need to acknowledge their nice attention and heel position which is not what we are concentrating on at present. If they are able to make it to you when they break position...I would not correct them verbally or by leash because they eventually will be hesitant to come to you when called as they don't know if they will be reprimanded or not. For teaching them the long down (for SchH) I use a stake out(with a 6 ft light leash) to prevent the creeping or running to me. The goal, IMO, is to never go so far (time or distance) to give them the opportunity to break.....go slowly...praise alot and reward...depending on your dog...10 seconds can be a challenge/milestone. Good Luck!

SASHAS POPPA · 03-27-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9Jarko

If you concerned about Sasha confusing or anticipating Sit with Stay or the other way around - is it possible for you to use a word that begins with something else for the stay - that does not begin with an S. Another language ie., German, French, Dutch if permitted would be nice for the stay

I personally don't teach - stay - as a "formal command" - stay is sorta automatic. My pups are taught that they are to remain in whatever position (obey last command ie., sit, down, stand) until given another command. I started with the sit with no distractions- once they were solid in maintaining position with me next to them (heel position) for a few minutes...I then took a step forward (right foot first - as one should begin a heel with left foot - and using your right foot should eventually "cue" your dog that he/she is to stay)and faced them using a bridge (saying good). Each day I placed some distance between us - then I eventually turned my back (using a small compact mirror to keep an eye on them). If they break position I immediately mark it with "No" and then I calmly walk to them and take them right back to the exact position they were sitting and give them the command sit again. If they are able to make it to you when they break position...I would not correct them verbally or by leash because they eventually will be hesitant to come to you when called as they don't know if they will be reprimanded or not. For teaching them the long down (for SchH) I use a stake out(with a 6 ft light leash) to prevent the creeping or running to me. The goal, IMO, is to never go so far (time or distance) to give them the opportunity to break.....go slowly...praise alot and reward...depending on your dog...10 seconds can be a challenge/milestone. Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice. When I started teaching sit I didnt want to use a stay command. I wanted her to sit until I released her without actually giving a command to stay.

I am going to start puppy classes with her and they all want to teach a "stay" command.

I might just keep teaching without a stay command.

But please keep the advice coming.

**greenkouki** · 03-27-2008, 10:23 PM

Are you using a leash? Try holding the leash with her beside you, doing the sit command, and then drop the leash and move away for the stay portion. I use hand signals in conjunction with verbal commands as well. It's kind of hard to describe without seeing it in front of you. Whatever you do just be consistent and she will pick up quickly, she's a motivated, smart, little girl.

Lexxsmom · 03-28-2008, 09:38 AM

I actually enjoy the stay command. I know that some people feel that their dogs should sit and not move until they release them anyways, but I just feel that the "stay" has a nice solid, "I mean it" type of sound.

as for confusing the two, I use a hand signal for the stay and a different verbal command. She's smart, she'll pick it up. If lexx ( who I'm convinced missed the dobe brain bucket ....) can get it, she will

**ellenm** · 03-28-2008, 07:29 PM

I learned my basic dog training 25 yrs ago, and everyone used 'wait" for the command that meant a moving command was going to follow....such as the recall, or throw the dumbbell, or go over the jump. So...you would say Fido, wait....walk away.....then Fido come.

"Stay" was used ONLY for sit and down and stand stays. I still only use "stay" for these three things period. I think I am pattern trained as far as this goes.

I took a seminar where the "current" philosophy was the dog should continue to sit/stand or down from the initial word until you tell it something different. I do not do this, but a lot of current people do.

So- you can choose to do any or none of the above! It won't matter in the long run as long as the dog understands your commands and obeys. For competition, it is helpful to have that time to say "stay" with your right hand in front of the dog's face before you leave the dog just to reinforce the job at hand. I use "wait" and a different hand signal preceding a moving command.

2RescuedDobies · 03-31-2008, 01:00 AM

Stay is not used in Schutzhund. The dog is taught to hold the position until released. During training that will be and ok or free.

sheezbusy · 03-31-2008, 03:00 AM

With Lexie I use the word "wait" instead of stay.

alwayshadpets · 03-31-2008, 03:45 AM

Any of the above ways will work and all of these methods are still being taught. I will be going to two working seminars this year which will be interesting to see what bag of tricks are offered. <grin>