Basic Obedience: Sit/Stay

March has been a great month for us here at Ashling Place. Hadley continues to amaze us with her intellect and eagerness to please. This month, she proudly earned two designations: AKC Canine Community Canine (CGCA) and Therapy Dog. After completing a seven-week training course, which included time spent in public settings such as  shopping centers and nursing homes, Hadley was then required to pass a series of tests in order to earn these designations. 

In order to pass these tests, Hadley first needed to  be able to master a number of basic skills. Of course, impulse control and maintaining attention are two crucial skills necessary, especially since there are a number of distractions that are introduced during the tests to ensure that your dog is able to remain focused on you and the task at hand. Another important skill she needed to be able to master is the “sit-stay”. The purpose of this command that your dog will be able to remain in a "sit/stay" position, even when you leave him, which is handy in a number of situations. We use it when someone visits, when we need to cross the street to get the mail and want the dog to stay in the yard, and even when it’s time to go outside and we want them to sit at the door until we give the release. It is the ultimate demonstration of control and is useful in everyday life.


Sit/Stay Command
Tools Needed:
Leash & Collar
Treats

Directions:

1. Place your dog in the “heel” position (sitting on your left side) with the leash in your left hand. 
2. Before leaving your dog, tell the dog to “stay” in a firm voice and at the same time, give the “stay” signal with your right hand (place your right hand directly in front of the dog’s nose with your palm facing the dog). 
3. Starting with your right foot, pivot so that you are now facing the dog toe-to-toe. You should still be holding the leash in your hand.
4. After 10 seconds, repeat the “stay” command & signal, and pivot back to “heel” position. 
5. If the dog stays during this first practice, be sure to calmly praise and reward your dog while it is still in the “sit-stay” position. After rewarding, release your dog and walk away. Ensuring you praise and reward while in the “sit/stay” will reinforce that behavior.
6. So what if the dog breaks the stay? It is critical to immediately correct him the second he starts to move. The best way to do this is by jerking the leash straight up and firmly saying, “No. I said Stay.” If you are late to correct, or if the dog moved out of “sit/stay,” then use the lease to put the dog back into “sit” in the exact place they were before moving. If the dog is able to hold the stay for the specific amount of time, be sure to offer calm praise, then repeat the “stay” command & signal and pivot back to “heel” position. Reward again, release the dog, and walk away. 
7. Once your dog has been able to do this successfully for 10 seconds, then slowly increase the time until your dog can stay for one minute. 
8. Once your dog has been able to demonstrate that he can “sit/stay” for up to one minute, it is time to increase the distance between you and the dog; however, be sure to decrease the time to 10 seconds again, and slowly increase the time each time he has successfully shown he can hold the position. Continue this practice until you can stand the full length of the leash away from your dog. 

Important Tips for Success:

• Timing of your correction is critical to success, as well as the reward. Correct the instant your dog starts to move. Reward while still in the “sit/stay”.
• Keep the leash in your hands at all times during this practice.
• Your dog should not move until you have given the “released” command.
• As you increase your distance, if the dog breaks his position, go all the way back to the dog to correct and put him back in the same position. 
• Do NOT increase your distance away from the dog until he has truly mastered the “stay” command while you remain close to him. 
• Adding distractions will help the dog learn that it must remain in the “stay” position until given permission. 
• Establish a “release” command for your dog. Examples include “okay,” “break,” or “free.” 

The “sit/stay” is a command that truly is an essential skill for your pup to master, even if you are not interested in pursuing designations such as the Canine Good Citizen or Therapy Dog. We have advanced our training with this command during our field play and practice. Now the girls have to stay in a sit position while we throw the ball, which if you know our girls, this is a very difficult skill to master when a ball is involved. That said, they know to sit, stay, and wait for me to give them the release, which is “find it.” Not only are they exercising their bodies, but also their minds!

If you are interested in pursuing these designations with your dog, then I encourage you to start by learning more by visiting the  AKC Canine Good Citizen and AKC Community Canine websites. 

Happy Training!! 

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