Training Exercises
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Introduction
The Release
Sit Stand and Down
Walking on Lead
Recall
Stay
Wait
How to use Food
Typical rewards
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Retrieve
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New Exercises
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Leg weaving
STAY
This exercise is used to teach your dog to relax whilst you walk away from him should you ever need to leave him tied up outside a shop or for any other reason, maybe an emergency one day. If you wish, you may also teach him to stay in a sit, stand or down, which you will need for an obedience competition or for getting him to pose for a photograph.
Stage 1 |
Attach your dog's lead to a fence post, the banisters or another
person. Give the command 'STAY' in a light tone of voice and a
flat of the hand as a signal and walk unhesitatingly away. Return
immediately and praise & reward.
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Stage 2 | As before but now wait for your dog to relax before returning and praising. |
Stage 3 |
STAY IN POSITION.
Place some food rewards about 6 - 10 feet away from where you are
going to ask your dog to stay. On a chair or the floor if you are
doing it on the lead. Up high out of his reach if you are doing it
off lead. Ask your dog to sit and command him to stay, walk away (with your back to him), fetch a food treat and return to your dog. If he is still sat and hasn't moved, praise, reward and release. If he moves whilst you are returning with the reward turn around immediately and put the treat back then replace him and start again. If he moves before you get to the treat then start again. If he moves more than half a dozen times before you are successful then put him on lead, if he is off and try a shorter distance. If you are successful then increase the distance (not too much) and also try it in the down and the stand. Remember he must stay in the position that you told him to and he must not get up until you release him.
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Stage 4 |
Still fetching him a reward but now take an indirect route to &
from the place where they are, maybe move the chair that they are
on before picking one up.
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Proofing | Practice leaving him in a stay whilst you move furniture, fuss another dog, tie you shoe lace etc. |
Notes
When leaving your dog tethered in a stay you needn't ask for a sit or a down. Let him choose and give him the option to change position if he wants to.On stages 1 & 2 your dog should always be tied up. This will ensure that he gets it right every time and is rewarded. If he can't follow then he will have to stay!
Remember 'stay' means "I am leaving you here and you cannot follow me but I will be back" It is not a threat.
ALWAYS RETURN to your dog during a stay exercise. He is much more likely to have a rock-steady 'stay' if he is expecting you to go back to him.
If you sometimes call him out of a 'stay' then he is likely to anticipate that this is what you want and then get into trouble for moving.