Sit and Stay

[Bean10]

I've been trying to get my mini dachshund to learn the stay command outlined in the Secrets to Dog Training but I am not having much luck.
The moment I take that thiird step away...he is up and following. Any other suggestions training methods I can use?

Thanks!

[kjd]

Hi, Bean10.

How long does your pup stay at two steps? Try retreating to one step and adding distractions -- gently swing the leash, jump up and down, turn around. Make sure he is absolutely steady at one step back. Then return to two and do the same thing -- don't just stand there, do something, so he knows stay means stay. You can also try walking around him at one step.

If your dog is consistent in getting up at 3 steps, he probably does not understand "stay" the same way you do.

Good luck. With patience and consistency, he WILL figure out what you want.

kjd

[Bean10]

Ahh... I think since there are no distractions, he doesn't understand what is going on.
I will see how this works.

Thanks!

[swampyann]

Hi Bean10

I am new to this network and I read about your problem on the sit stay. I too am having the same problem. When I walk back even one step my puppy scoots his bottom right next to me. Let me know how you progress and would appreciate any feed back from anyone else.

Thanks swampyann

[kjd]

Hi, swampyann,

(Someday, you'll have to explain the "swamp"!)

Work on the stay while you are right by him. Try walking around him or swing the leash or jump up and down or turn around. Any distraction you can think of. Take him to a mall and have him sit right next to you while people walk by. Does he like to play with a ball? Bounce one in front of him. If he stays before you take that first step: does he stay while you are on his right side? His left side? Behind him? Sitting down? Can you step over him? (In a large dog, this may mean stepping over his tail; don't try stepping over his head or back unless he is a little guy!)

Does he know down? Practice all these distractions in the down position also. Practice on walks, by busy streets, near grocery stores (those carts are a real distraction!), near playgrounds. Will he stay when someone comes up to talk with you? When a kid comes up to pet him? (Once you start brainstorming, you can think of a million distractions!)

Don't take that first step back until you are sure he is absolutely solid in staying while you are with him.

When you are ready to take one step back, the very first time he is successful, give him a big treat and stop the session. Always stop obedience sessions on a success. Sometimes, in order to do this, you may have to go to the easiest command, for your dog, that you know. But always stop on a success.

Good luck and thank you for reminding me of all those ways of distracting a dog,
kjd

[swampyann]

Hey kjd,

Thankyou for the quick response. Maybe I am moving to fast on my training. I will back up and get the sit stay more solid. Also I have not been ending the session once he has succeeded. I usually try to do 10 repetitions if I have his attention on me. Great ideas on distraction.

By the way (swampy) is a nickname that was pinned on me in gradeschool. My name is Marcia.