Canine Good Citizen Test In a Day For Dummies by Jack Volhard

Author:Jack Volhard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2012-07-26T04:00:00+00:00

Photograph courtesy of Jack and Wendy Volhard

Figure 3-4: Sit-Stay reinforcement.

The quickest way to undermine your efforts to teach and maintain a reliable Stay is to overlook releasing your dog. You release your dog by saying “You’re free” or “Okay.” When you forget to release Buddy, he’ll begin to release himself, which isn’t acceptable. You’re the decision-maker, and you decide when he can move, not the other way around.

Repeat the six steps of teaching Stay over the course of several training sessions until your dog can stay until you release him.

Administering the Sit-Stay test

The following steps involve testing your dog’s understanding of the Sit-Stay, while extending the time and distance:

1. Start with Buddy on your left and hold the leash in your left hand placed against your belt buckle. Place your right hand at your right side, palm facing forward.

2. Say “Stay” and go 3 feet in front of him, with no tension on the leash.

3. When in front of your dog, slightly rotate your left hand downward, against your body, to apply tension on the leash. Count to ten. Release pressure.

Keep your right hand, palm facing up, toward your dog. (See Figure 3-5.)

4. If Buddy moves to come to you, take a step toward him with your right leg and, with your right hand, bring the leash straight up to a point directly above his head. Don’t repeat the Stay command.

Test three times for ten seconds, increasing the tension until you get physical resistance from your dog. Then release the tension. Go back to the side of your dog and release at the end of the exercise.

After you’ve completed the preceding Sit-Stay test, tell your dog to “Stay” and go 4 feet in front of him with a loose leash. When you’re 4 feet from him, your goal is to have him stay for one minute. If he moves, reinforce the stay. When you’re 6 feet from him, Buddy should be sufficiently trained so you can leave him for a longer time. Gradually increase your time until you reach three minutes. Go back to the side of the dog and release with praise. If, at any time, Buddy breaks his stay, go back a step and repeat until he’s reliable. Then proceed to the next step.

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