Maggie learned both Place and Down today! And we started proofing the “stay” that’s implied in each of the commands.
Want to know how to eliminate having to add a whole other command into your vocabulary like the word “Stay”?
For me, a command is a command. For instance, if I say “Down” my dog should “stay” in a down position until she is released with the word “Free.” Stay is implied. No need to add an additional term to muddy up the training.
Of course “stay” isn’t known to the dog until she has been slowly conditioned to it’s implied meaning. Once the dog has been taught the a Command, and is able to perform it by verbal cue alone, you can then start building up duration in its position.
How do you do this?
One tiny little footstep or distraction at a time. I repeat the same triggers to each of the commands, starting with the Place Command, Moving to the Down, and ending with the sit, so the dog has somewhat of a familiar sense in what is expected when proofing the others.
If your dog makes a mistake, simply say “Nope,” re-apply ecollar stim, apply body pressure, and use leash guidance if needed. When proofing your Down, be sure to go back to the original spot your dog made the mistake. The path of correction should be the reverse of of the pattern the dog followed when he broke command.
Be sure not to let the dog use the action of your return, picking back up the lead, or your praise as her excuse to move out of position before you give a release command. Slowly build up the amount of time spent in position, starting with 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, release, then repeat. By returning and praising the dog after holding command if even for just one step away, you eliminate the possibility of confusion and also give her the important feeling of accomplishment.
Add in Distraction once your dog has accomplished holding position - walk arounds, kneeling down, dancing, being careful not to jerk the leash. Any temptation is fair so long as it’s not personally addressed to the dog!
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