A solid sit and a solid stay are very important. No matter where you live or what you do with your dog.
I start early.
I teach the concept of sit with a treat or as I prefer to call them ” presents” .
I hold the morsel of good smelling food over the dog’s head and then slightly when I have the dogs attention hold it and move it backwards so the dog has to look up and hold its nose back and this naturally pushes the dog into the sit position. I say firmly but kindly “Sit” when the dog sits I say good dog! (I do not praise profusely for this…It is a sit… And I hold my high praise for other things like a good “Come”!(I do not say sit… sit…. sit.) I am a person of few words!
So once my puppy has mastered sit fairly well…I start teaching stay at the sit. (I have been teaching the concept for months) When I leave or put the pup somewhere (like in a crate) I know it has to stay I say “Stay be good dog! ”
I start looking for opportunity to teach the sit stay. Like at gates , or door ways, or when I have brought the puppy a present (High value treat) …
Today KATBallou was learning to sit and stay at gates as the truck passed thru. KAT and I opened and closed the gates. After the 4th trip thru the gate…KAT went to the next gate sat and waited for me!
I will continue with this work the rest of her life. Proofing sit stay..
It is important for dogs to stay where you put them…No matter what you are doing…herding, playing, hanging out…Just like walking on a leash…important!
