DOG Training TOYS

SIT-STAY

The sit-stay command is also a very critical behavior for your dog to learn. Like all the other off-leash commands you’re teaching, it’s impor¬tant to recognize that you may already be giving the sit-stay command without backing it up. Spend a few days being conscious of this and youmay be very surprised to realize there has been some inconsistency here. Not to worry! The key is to move forward from this point.
By the way, here’s an excellent example of inconsistency with the sit-stay. I have known at least a hundred owners whose dogs wanted to follow them into the garage or out the front door when the owners were leaving for work. A typical response for people is to shove the dog back and tell her “no, stay.” Then they close the door and go on with their day. Hours later when they come home, do they seriously expect their dog to still be in the stay position? Of course not! They didn’t mean “stay” as in “don’t move.” They meant something like “don’t fol¬low me out the door.” Unfortunately, this sets back your training, since the dog will not be able to differentiate these subtle shades of gray. Bottom line: “Stay” means “don’t move until I tell you to.” Don’t use it for anything else.
I would not teach “stay” until the dog has had at least a month’s worth of training on “sit.” The two easiest situations to start teaching the sit-stay are when you are feeding the dog and when she wants to go through a doorway.
When you are ready to give her a meal, hold the bowl up three or four feet over her head and tell her “sit.” Remember to praise (say “good”) for the sit, but you don’t have to treat and pet with a…