A few months ago, I wrote a blog post discussing the "magic word" that can significantly improve your dog's stay. Today, I want to delve deeper into your "stay" training and share an additional technique to help you achieve an even better stay with your dog.
Training a dog to "stay" is a fundamental skill that requires patience and consistency. One key aspect often overlooked by dog owners is how far away they are from their dog when they release them from a stay command. Releasing your dog from more than two steps away can slow their training progress and often leads to a lack of understanding and discipline. Here’s why moving close to your dog when you're going to release them is essential for effective training:
Immediate Correction for Breaking Stay
To start off, you want to stick close to your dog when you're first teaching them a reliable stay. If you've ever heard us talk about the 3Ds of training, you'll know that the first step in getting a reliable stay is to build up the duration. Expecting your dog to stay longer & longer before you get further & further away.
When you are close to your dog, you are able to immediately correct them if they get up before you release them. This immediate action helps your dog understand what is expected of them. If they get up without being released, you give them the necessary correction (which when you are first teaching the “stay” command it is just a verbal “no”), and guide them back into position, reinforcing the behavior you want. This correction is much harder to administer effectively when you're not close to your dog.
Accelerates Learning and Consistency
Dogs are often energetic and eager, quick to break a stay if anything remotely exciting is happening or there's a small chance that you gave them the release word when you were around the corner. By staying close when you release your dog you're teaching them that they must be patient and wait calmly until you return to their side to release them. This approach helps dogs learn to stay more reliably because they are not constantly testing their boundaries by anticipating when you are releasing them.
Encourages Relaxation and Focus
A dog that is always anticipating the release command can become anxious or restless, making it harder for them to settle and relax during a stay. When you start close and gradually increase the distance, your dog learns that the stay command means to remain calm and patient until you give the release word, and not when they see you moving away. This practice encourages your dog to relax and stay focused on the command, rather than being on high alert for the next cue.
Gradually Increase Distance for Consistency
It’s important not to rush the process of increasing the distance between you and your dog during a stay. Only increase the distance once your dog consistently holds the stay at the current distance without breaking. This gradual progression ensures that your dog builds a strong foundation of obedience and understanding, which will be crucial as you work on more advanced training.
Conclusion
In dog training, especially with commands like "stay," starting close to your dog and gradually increasing distance is crucial for developing discipline and focus. It allows for immediate correction, accelerates the learning process, and helps your dog relax and remain attentive. Remember, patience and consistency are key.
Don't be in a hurry to move further away;
your dog's understanding and reliability in the command will grow stronger with steady practice. By following these principles, you'll set your dog up for long-term success in their training journey.
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