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Stay
The dog can be put in one of three positions for this command Sit, Down or Stand. It is usually best to teach the dog the ‘Stay’ command in the down position first, as the dog is less inclined to move (compared to the other two positions). With the dog in the down position next to the handlers left side, say the dogs NAME, give the COMMAND ‘STAY’ - delivered with quiet confidence rather than urgency, accompanied with a hand signal which must be consistent (flat of hand).
COMPULSION, Minimal, Handler pauses for a period of say initially 10 seconds then returns to the heel position, pauses, and then PRAISES, quietly and without excitement. The position is broken as the handler decides. Stay means Stay in that spot and don’t move until the handler returns to the dog and breaks the stay. Occasionally on your return to the dog repeat the command and step away again, this is to stop the dog anticipating the praise and jumping up. If the dog breaks the STAY position, gather in the lead and return the dog in such a way that you do the equivalent of a left about turn to place the dog back on the original spot. This ‘herds’ the dog and re-enforces your dominance over the dog. Repeat the command. Reduce the time spent away from the dog such that the dog successfully completes the STAY and then give lots of praise. Take a break at this point from teaching STAY, repeat something the dog can do for a few minutes and then return to teaching the STAY command. The sequence is repeated until the handler can leave the dog for ½ minute.
Extending Time and Distance
Now after the handler takes a sideways step, they walk in a half circle around the front of the dog to the dogs left side and back again, repeating the command as necessary. Gradually increase the arc of the circle, but do not completely circle the dog initially, since going behind the dog usually makes them move to keep you in sight and this defeat’s the object of the exercise. When this is going well increase the arc such that you completely circle the dog. The purpose of this is to get the dog used too you leaving him without him following. Repeat the above but with the lead on the ground in front of the dog.
When this too is working well, command the dog to stay, step off forwarded with the right leg for a distance of two or three paces, face the dog, wait for ½ minute then return to the dog and praise him. Repeat this sequence gradually increasing the distance and time to 20 paces and 3 ½ minutes.
Stay - sit
Repeat ALL of the above with the dog in the Sit position until the dog will stay for 2 ½ minutes. This is the minimum period plus half a minute for Novice level. Vary the routine slightly by returning to the dog, repeating the command and leaving for a second time. The purpose of this, as has been mentioned, is so that the dog does not anticipate the praise and jump up for a fuss. You probably noticed that you step away with your right leg first, left leg when you want your dog to come with you.
Stand Stay
Place the dog in the stand position, give the COMMAND ‘STAY’ and take a step sideways away from the dog. Ensure that the lead is slack. Repeat the sequence as for the down stay. The stand stay should be for 1½ minutes. Repeat with the dog off lead. Once your dog is responding reliably, gradually increase the distraction level before teaching ‘Out of sight Stays’. For distractions try the following:
A) Bouncing a ball D) Have dogs heel around your dog
B) Throwing a ball/toy E) Throw treats around your dog
C) Squeak a toy F) Running around your dog
[NOTE: Never use a distraction that frightens your dog!]
OUT-of-SIGHT
The ‘Out of sight’ Stay is taught by leaving the dog in a down stay, ‘hiding’ for a very short period, for example passing behind a tree but quickly reappearing, then returning to the dog. The period that the handler remains ‘hidden’ is increased to whatever level the handler wishes to teach their dog. Ten minutes is the requirement for Advance level. Never call the dog to you when it has been put in a Stay position, no matter how inconvenient it may be. If you wish to leave the dog in the ‘stay’ position and then have it perform another task e.g. Recall, use the ‘Wait’ command. Don’t you just love it when you make a firm definite statement then have to qualify it? Once your dog understands and can do a ‘Stay’ with distractions, you will probably find that you no longer have to give the command ‘Stay’. Commanding the dog to ‘Sit’ etc will be sufficient, likewise you will no longer need to give the ‘Wait’ command. But and I emphasise the But, this is only after the dog has learnt these commands, it is only by learning them that he can do them.
COMPULSION, Minimal, Handler pauses for a period of say initially 10 seconds then returns to the heel position, pauses, and then PRAISES, quietly and without excitement. The position is broken as the handler decides. Stay means Stay in that spot and don’t move until the handler returns to the dog and breaks the stay. Occasionally on your return to the dog repeat the command and step away again, this is to stop the dog anticipating the praise and jumping up. If the dog breaks the STAY position, gather in the lead and return the dog in such a way that you do the equivalent of a left about turn to place the dog back on the original spot. This ‘herds’ the dog and re-enforces your dominance over the dog. Repeat the command. Reduce the time spent away from the dog such that the dog successfully completes the STAY and then give lots of praise. Take a break at this point from teaching STAY, repeat something the dog can do for a few minutes and then return to teaching the STAY command. The sequence is repeated until the handler can leave the dog for ½ minute.
Extending Time and Distance
Now after the handler takes a sideways step, they walk in a half circle around the front of the dog to the dogs left side and back again, repeating the command as necessary. Gradually increase the arc of the circle, but do not completely circle the dog initially, since going behind the dog usually makes them move to keep you in sight and this defeat’s the object of the exercise. When this is going well increase the arc such that you completely circle the dog. The purpose of this is to get the dog used too you leaving him without him following. Repeat the above but with the lead on the ground in front of the dog.
Stay - sit
Repeat ALL of the above with the dog in the Sit position until the dog will stay for 2 ½ minutes. This is the minimum period plus half a minute for Novice level. Vary the routine slightly by returning to the dog, repeating the command and leaving for a second time. The purpose of this, as has been mentioned, is so that the dog does not anticipate the praise and jump up for a fuss. You probably noticed that you step away with your right leg first, left leg when you want your dog to come with you.
Stand Stay
Place the dog in the stand position, give the COMMAND ‘STAY’ and take a step sideways away from the dog. Ensure that the lead is slack. Repeat the sequence as for the down stay. The stand stay should be for 1½ minutes. Repeat with the dog off lead. Once your dog is responding reliably, gradually increase the distraction level before teaching ‘Out of sight Stays’. For distractions try the following:
A) Bouncing a ball D) Have dogs heel around your dog
B) Throwing a ball/toy E) Throw treats around your dog
C) Squeak a toy F) Running around your dog
[NOTE: Never use a distraction that frightens your dog!]
OUT-of-SIGHT
The ‘Out of sight’ Stay is taught by leaving the dog in a down stay, ‘hiding’ for a very short period, for example passing behind a tree but quickly reappearing, then returning to the dog. The period that the handler remains ‘hidden’ is increased to whatever level the handler wishes to teach their dog. Ten minutes is the requirement for Advance level. Never call the dog to you when it has been put in a Stay position, no matter how inconvenient it may be. If you wish to leave the dog in the ‘stay’ position and then have it perform another task e.g. Recall, use the ‘Wait’ command. Don’t you just love it when you make a firm definite statement then have to qualify it? Once your dog understands and can do a ‘Stay’ with distractions, you will probably find that you no longer have to give the command ‘Stay’. Commanding the dog to ‘Sit’ etc will be sufficient, likewise you will no longer need to give the ‘Wait’ command. But and I emphasise the But, this is only after the dog has learnt these commands, it is only by learning them that he can do them.
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