Chill Out Fido!: How to Calm Your Dog (Dogwise Training Manual) by Nan Kene Arthur

Author:Nan Kene Arthur
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Published: 2009-10-05T09:28:00+00:00

EXERCISE 4

SIT AND KEEP

SITTING

This exercise teaches your dog how to remain in place despite distractions and temptations to engage in other behaviors. Generally this is referred to as teaching your dog to "Stay," but I like to think of it as a two step process-getting your dog to sit and then building the duration of the sit. When you teach it this way, what you want the dog to do is clearer to him. Teaching just a "Stay" often involves waiting longer and longer between the moment when the dog sits or lies down and when the reward or praise is given. Often these exercises end with the dog getting up and wandering away or the owner repeating "Stay, stay, stayyyyyyy," over and over while holding out an open palm of the hand as a gesture to remain in place as she tries to step further away. Then if the dog does get up, owners often say, "No, stay," while they run back to their dog to start again. The poor dog ends up being more confused since he is not getting any information to tell him when he has the right answer.

Rather than focusing on "Stay," which most people don't train well, why not teach your dog to Keep sitting (or laying down) until you tell him otherwise?

Goals

• Your dog begins to sit for longer periods of time.

• He can keep sitting even with distractions.

• Most importantly, he can maintain a sit while people approach.

Benefits

• Keep Sitting is a great alternative to otherwise rowdy behaviors such as jumping up on people or scratching at a door.

• Over time your dog will develop a rock-solid sit, which he will use more and more when he is not sure what to doplus it will generally have a calming influence on him.

• If your dog is nervous or anxious in new settings, Keep Sitting will help your dog to focus on you rather than being concerned about what is happening in the world around him.

What you will need

• A clicker or verbal marker if you prefer.

• Treats: 20-30 medium to high-value treats.

• A six-foot leash and a harness, a limited-slip collar, or a regular buckle collar. You can work with your dog off-leash, but at some point, you will want to train with the equipment he will be wearing out in the world so he becomes familiar with it before you take this exercise on the road.

• A helper or two as you begin to add distractions.

• A quiet, comfortable, indoor place with minimal distractions in which to train. You will train in many different locations with more distractions as you progress, which will eventually teach your dog sitting is a behavior that will be rewarded.

Training time

You should do a couple five to ten minute sessions at least three to five days a week. As you move forward, this exercise should be a part of daily life so your dog learns to offer sits in lots of different situations. Once trained, continue

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