HOMEWORK Week 3: Sit/Stay

 

SIT/STAY

Dog is learning, for the first time, to hold a position. So, to set the dog up for success, we start close to the dog, in low levels of distractions, for very short times (seconds).  When you come to a Halt, give the hand signal close to the dogs eye and either the dog does an Auto Sit (no verbal from you) in 1 second OR gets a Sit Correction.

From there, work the collar high and snug clear under the chin of the dog, the feed of the leash comes out between the dogs ears on the top of the dogs head and you hold the leash with slight upward pressure (left hand) to keep the collar from slipping, then take your right hand with leash in it and replace your left hand still maintaining slight upward pressure.

Command the dog “Sit” (it is the polite thing to do even though the dog is already in a Sit, the verbal Sit at this point reinforces the dogs understanding), use your left hand, fingers open, a few inches in front of dogs face as you command, “Stay”, step off with your right foot as you turn and face your dog approximately 1’ away (called the nose-to-knees position) and continue the slight upward pressure on leash.

Wait 10 seconds, smile at your dog, then Step Back to your Dog, relax the leash pressure (slack leash and right hand back into Walking Position), praise your dog. 

End each Sit/Stay with an Exercise Finish (1 step halt/auto Sit).  Start with 10 seconds, then 15 seconds, and up to 60 seconds where dog holds its Sit/Stay position without moving.  If the dog moves, simply step towards dog, do 2 hands on leash and a Sit Correction, then step back to facing the dog.  If dog is struggling to hold at 30 seconds, make sure levels of distractions are low and go back to doing Sit/Stay at 20 seconds or 10 seconds. The point is the dog needs to understands Stay = Stay and we are going to help set the dog up to succeed.

As dog understands Stay=Stay, increase the time from 10 seconds all the way up to 60 seconds. Test the dogs understanding at 60 seconds by also increasing the levels of distractions. By end of Day 2, dog should be able to hold a Sit/Stay for 60 seconds in high levels of distractions.

Days 3 & 4 are the same mechanics, but the distance between dog and handler now goes from 1’ to approximately 1 ½ feet away from dog (1 and ½ steps). Same method, same sequencing. Start at 10 seconds in low levels of distractions, praise (smile) or correct, Step Back to Dog, slack leash, praise, & Exercise Finish.  
Then increase time to 20 seconds, repeat method/sequencing, then 30 seconds etc., up to a minute. 

Always the same method and sequencing is used. *IMPORTANT* What changes?  When you increase the distance, you must start over with the shortest time and the lowest level of distraction. As dog gains understanding in what you want it to do, then you increase time and distraction levels.

Days 5 & 6 are the same mechanics, but the distance between dog and handler now goes from 1 1/2’ to approximately 5’ away from dog (2 and ½ steps). Same method, same sequencing. Start at 10 seconds in low levels of distractions, praise (smile) or correct, Step Back to Dog, slack leash, praise, & Exercise Finish.  Then increase time to 20 seconds, repeat method/sequencing, then 30 seconds etc., up to a minute. 

Always the same method and sequencing is used. *IMPORTANT* What changes?  When you increase the distance, you must start over with the shortest time and the lowest level of distraction. As dog gains understanding in what you want it to do, then you increase time and distraction levels.