Seven (7) key things to remember for doing the Stand. I prefer doing the Stand training on an elevated surface as this teaches the dog to do a 'Kick-Back' Stand instead of them moving forward (creeping). The only exception is for a GSD or an injured dog as then you have to do the Alternate Stand which is having the dog go from a Sit and walk forward into the Stand. For 95% of you, the 'Kick-Back' Stand is the best method.
- The forward leash pressure direction is UNDER the chin. The right foot is at a 90 degree angle in front of the dog to block the dog from moving forward. The left foot can be between the dogs front and rear legs and as you pull the dog into a Stand, the left foot lifts slightly to provide the feel of a foot to the dogs stomach. They will intuitively move away from the pressure of that left foot.
- Once the dog is pulled into a Stand, there is NO pressure on the leash whatsoever. No pressure, zero, zip, nadda, zilch..no leash pressure. Why? Because ANY pressure, however slight, will put the dog into a Sit and you never, EVER want a dog to Sit from a Stand at this point in their training. Critical you understand this KEY POINT. Once I have a dog in a Stand, I drop the leash, or give a huge 'J' loop (where you can see it).
- You lift the dog with your left hand by going over its back and gently putting upward pressure on the dogs stomach. DO NOT USE FINGERS DIGGING INTO THE DOGS SIDE as that is considered 'FLANKING' and how you teach a dog to attack. Or, if the dog is used to you handling them into a Stand (my Mannerly Puppy Course students) by using your left hand in between their back legs, you can do that approach also. In one of my teaching videos I do this 2nd approach as my Redd has a huge bandage on her left rear leg so there's no way I'm putting pressure on that bandage. The best way is to reach OVER the dog's back to their left side and lift them gently.
- You may, if you know how, readjust the dogs legs into a proper Stack so the dog is comfortable.
- CRITICAL you then do the Conditioned Relaxation Stroke (taught in Mannerly Puppy Courses) where you gently stroke from top of dogs head to their withers (shoulders) only. If you touch their back/hip area, you are communicating to the dog to Sit. You never, EVER want a dog to Sit from a Stand at this point in their training. Critical you understand this KEY POINT. Also, at the shoulders, you can 'scritch' or gently stroke their hair upwards. This is pleasurable to the dog and they will stand taller to earn this special sensation.
- CRITICAL you 'hover' over the dog the entire time you are training the Stand. Why? Because the 'hover' in the dogs world is about dominance and we introduce the Stand in Week 3 just so we can practice 'hovering' so the dog accepts our dominance over them. This sets the dog up for success in Week 4 when the Down is taught.
- Week 3, Days 1-3, the Stand is all done silently so we can teach the dog to 'read' our mechanics and know what to do. Days 4-6, the verbal "Stand" is added.
======================================================================
Training videos
Photo Sequence
The second a dog moves a foot, for a healthy dog, you IMMEDIATELY command, "Heel" and get them off the board and do the Halt mechanics to AS. At this point in the training, you have no other correction.
You never, EVER want a dog to Sit from a Stand at this point in their training.
Fido videos
No comments:
Post a Comment