 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
“Stay” -- along with “Sit,” “Here,” and “Whoa” -- is one of the four basic obedience commands. It is normally taught after
you have trained puppy to sit. If you choose not to teach sit, then you will not want to teach “Stay.” Instead, you may move
on to “Whoa”. However, if you plan to keep your gun dog indoors, I encourage you to teach this command. The last thing you
need is an unruly dog trying to take the BLT off your plate as you’re making your way to the recliner.
"Stay" is probably one of the easiest commands to teach and is normally mastered by the pup in short order. As the word
implies, “stay” means "wait right here." Your desired goal is to have the pup wait in one place while you’re doing something
else. Teaching this command initially requires the use of a leash, or check cord, and your hand, more specifically, the palm of
your hand. Attach the leash to your pup’s collar and have him sit. After the pup sits, move in front of him. If the pup
attempts to get up or lie down while you’re moving to his front, tell him to “sit” and restrain his action by exerting
sufficient pressure on the leash. Once in front, repeat the “Sit” command, and then hold your hand up, palm facing the pup,
and say “Stay.” Repeat both these commands several times; remember to hold you hand in the manner described previously
when saying “Stay.” Repeat this process until you no longer have to exert pressure on the leash to keep your pup in the
sitting position, and you feel confident the pup won’t move when you move to his front. At this point, treats are in order.
Once you have reached this pinnacle, the next step is to add time and space.
Once you’re confident your pup will remain seated while standing directly in front of him, make him stay in that position for
15-20 seconds. If he attempts to get up or lie down, repeat the sit/stay commands, always remembering to use the hand
signal. After a couple of days, he should remain in place for 15 to 20 seconds. As soon as he remains in place, it’s time to
add a “release” command. To do this, walk back and stand at your pup’s side, and touch him on the head or shoulder and say
something like “OK” or “Let’s Go,” and remember this release command will also be used to release the dog from the Whoa
position. Make sure the touch and verbal commands are simultaneous. Also, you don't have to use the touch command if you
don't want to. The release command should be used from this point on in the stay-training cycle. (TIP: Do not call your pup
to release him from the sitting position. This can confuse him and you may end with a pup that “creeps.”) Continue to train
on the “time” portion of this command until he remains in place for several minutes.
After you’re satisfied pup will stay seated until released, begin adding space. As you’re standing in front of your puppy and
have given him the “Stay” command, begin taking a few steps backward. Keep facing the puppy, repeating “stay” accompanied
with the visual hand signal. Start with 3 or 4 feet and progress to the point where you can disappear from his sight, and
when you return, he is still in the same position in which you left him. This may take a while, but with repetition and patience
(and an ample supply of treats) you’ll be well on your way to owning a well-mannered gun dog.
the following:
Taylorsville, GA
info@Quailpointkennels.com
Chris Kahlan 770-378-2407
Greg Bayer 678-773-5667