Stay

[Urika]

My Diesel is scheduled to graduate puppy k next week. Before graduation they would like to see me put him in a sit/stay, and leave his site for a few without him getting up. Well, the problem is he will only stay if I am in his site. I have been working with him daily on this command. He's four months old today. He follows me where ever I go (I love that). He even knocks on the restroom door when I go in:) Any tips would be helpful. Thanks all!

[Judi W]

Just smile at them and tell them he is not ready for that exercise yet. I have never heard of this for a KPT level or even beginner. All it does is teach the dog to break. A really bad idea.

[Urika]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Just smile at them and tell them he is not ready for that exercise yet. I have never heard of this for a KPT level or even beginner. All it does is teach the dog to break. A really bad idea.

Judi, I think I will take your advice:) Or tell Diesel to say kiss my grits in dog

This is also Petsmart. Which I know doesn't get rave reviews in this forum. But he can't take classes at my local Kennel until he's six months. So, he'll take another class with Petsmart and transfer to the Kennel classes at six months. I figured some classes are better than none.

Thanks

[Judi W]

I agree. Just practice a goofy smile and agree with whatever they say...........

[MARYDVM]

Did you mean leave his sight, or leave his side? The first is not apropriate for his age, the second could be trained if you only step in front, and then back, fairly quickly.

[lblax]

as mary says this is not for his age...... and also do yourself a favor when he is old enough to train this just train it as a sit or down not a sit/stay or a down stay sit should simply be sit until released a stay is actually a standing stop out of motion.

[diddybopper04]

If you want to work on teaching a puppy the age of yours to stay, here are some things to try.

Use a plain buckle collar. With the puppy in heel position, and your lead gathered up in your left hand so that you are holding down very near the puppy's head, bring your right hand gently around with palm flat and fingers extended to about 4 inches in front of the puppy's nose as you say "Stay." Then SUPPORT the puppy in his sit position with your lead hand. Not too much pressure. Just gentle upward support to help him maintain his position ad you pivot just in front of him, so that you are toe to toe. Count to 3. Pivot back. Release and praise praise praise. You can do this probably 3 to 5 times quickly in a row before a pup the age of yours needs a play break. You can practice this several times a day if you like. Work up gradually to a longer count. Gradually reduce your pressure on the lead until you can pivot in front with no pressure on the lead and count to 20 easily. Once you can do this, you can start to move back away from the pup. Gradually. Keep it fun, short and simple. Stop if he gets frustrated, or can't pay attention. He's like a baby in kindergargten, so no corrections. Just help him if he needs it, and keep it fun. It's surprising sometimes how much these babies can and really do like to learn if you keep it fun and interesting for them.

And another school of thought on the subject.

I teach sit. Sit Stay. and Sit Wait. So if Sit only means Sit Stay, then I have no wait command.

I use the wait command for exercises where I will call the dog off a sit, such as a recall. The dog quickly learns that wait means another command is coming soon, so pay attention.

Stay means stay. I will come back to your side and release you, and you are not to move under any circumstances until that time.

I also use a different hand signal for wait and stay.

[Urika]

Thanks all!

Diesel will stay, and I am able to walk about 20 feet away from him. It's only when I leave his sight that he wants to see where I am or where I have gone. And, what they are looking for is me leaving his sight and him continuously following my command (sit/stay). He'll still graduate but maybe their expectations are a bit high for him right now. I feel OK about it, though. He's the youngest pup in the class, and he always gets the commands right in class the first time he's told, unlike his classmates

[diddybopper04]

The others are absolutely right. That is RIDICULOUS to expect of a 4 mos puppy. That is WAY too much pressure for a baby that age, and is lining him up to ruin him for stays the rest of his life. DO NOT expect your puppy to do this.

[Sargeant_C]

Sarge is only 3 months and I can make him sit/stay but to leave his sight No way. He would A come find me or B go get in trouble. LMAO I would suggest letting him"fail" that one. You know what your dog is capable of and that is good enough.