Stay

[LostAndConfused]

What is your favorite method for teaching 'stay'? Puppy class has us cue a 'sit' then give Tue cue for 'stay' and place three treats in a line on the ground. Then, holding the collar, deed the treats one at a time, slowly lengthening the time between treats. I'm sure it works, but Hudson does not understand and gets frustrated because he thinks I am asking for a 'down' when I am placing the treats on the ground.

So what methods do you like? Videos?

[Fran101]

I used the kikopup video on teaching stay.

It basically just teaches sit/down/stand and then teaches the dog the concept of a release cue.

Merlin doesn't really know "stay" but he knows not to move until he hears his release word.
I started working the release cue and then just proofed from that (jumping around, saying other words, food, etc...)

[Saeleofu]

I have the dog sit/down/stand/whatever, step to the front of the dog and back into heel, then sloooowwwwwlllyyyyyy work the time and distance up. So, one step back, two, three, take two steps back and wait 2 seconds, etc. I NEVER call a dog to come out of a stay while they're learning, and ALWAYS reward when I get back into heel position.

[Sekah]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

I have the dog sit/down/stand/whatever, step to the front of the dog and back into heel, then sloooowwwwwlllyyyyyy work the time and distance up. So, one step back, two, three, take two steps back and wait 2 seconds, etc. I NEVER call a dog to come out of a stay while they're learning, and ALWAYS reward when I get back into heel position.

This is how I teach it too. As long as criteria isn't raised too quickly and you ensure your dog is still engaged and having fun it's a good method. I always advise to teach it in very small doses and play or do other fun tricks etc in between.

[Cali Mae]

Originally Posted by Sekah

This is how I teach it too. As long as criteria isn't raised too quickly and you ensure your dog is still engaged and having fun it's a good method. I always advise to teach it in very small doses and play or do other fun tricks etc in between.

This is basically how I taught it, and eventually, we moved outside where I'd run up along the brick wall or on the yard and get all excited for a few moments before coming back to reward her.

If a bouncy Cali can stay in a down position for three whole minutes to pass an obedience class, I think Hudson should be able to pick it up in a jiffy!

[Julee]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

I have the dog sit/down/stand/whatever, step to the front of the dog and back into heel, then sloooowwwwwlllyyyyyy work the time and distance up. So, one step back, two, three, take two steps back and wait 2 seconds, etc. I NEVER call a dog to come out of a stay while they're learning, and ALWAYS reward when I get back into heel position.

This is how I teach it as well.

[Dizzy]

Honestly, we never taught stay as a command.

Basically, sit, lie down, etc should be until you release them, so there's no real need for a stay command.


That being said, once we got a long sit/lie down then I just added the cue stay. For ease. But totally unnecessary.


We also use a wait command, which sort of means, don't move.... But we use it differently to a "stay".

[milos_mommy]

What Sael said.

Although if I was starting with a young pup and wasn't worried about other stupid people messing it up for us, I might try Fran's Kikopup method.

ETA: and, like Dizzy said, we have "stay" and "wait". Wait basically means "Don't come through this doorway or down the stairs or into this area". I don't really use it any other time except for when I want the dog to remain in the same general area or out of my way.

Stay means "don't move". Since I never did any obedience or anything, I don't mind if the dog moves from sitting/standing/lying, as long as he's in one spot, but with future dogs I'd probably like it to mean "stay in that position".

[SaraB]

I use crate games/mat work to teach the concept of a release word and then apply it to the normal positions.

[k9krazee]

Crossbone has no stay. He LOVES the wait game though. I say "wait.....wait....wait (of a varying number)....OKAY!" and he goes crazy. So he kind of understands the concept and the release word but I haven't really put any effort into a real stay or wait yet lol But he knows weave poles and how to cross his legs. Priorities. :P

I don't really remember teaching my other dogs how to stay vs wait. Jack will stay in any position I put him in & I think I took it for granted. I like the mat idea of teaching stay. I taught Crossbone wait by doing crate games.