Dog training question

Silver Hilton · 03-23-2008, 02:32 PM

We're getting a new puppy soon. I was re-reading The Art Of Raising a Puppy in anticipation, and I came across something that I have always wondered about, teaching a dog to 'stay'.

I have always trained my dogs that if they are told to 'sit' or 'down', that they are to stay that way until released. I've never trained them to 'stay' in addition. This has generally worked pretty well, and my dogs are well behaved.

Anyone have any idea as to why 'stay' is also necessary or useful? It's so common that I wonder if I'm missing something.

Hawaiian Time · 03-23-2008, 05:16 PM

I would continue to do just what you are doing. "Sit" should also translate to "Stay" until you release the dog. That's how I teach it. HT

Medics-R-US · 03-23-2008, 06:34 PM

Yeppers I also say do not change a thing as long as it has worked in the past.

Yamhillbilly · 03-23-2008, 06:38 PM

you may find a time where it would be beneficial to have your dog stay in place other than the previously described scenario. We train ours with the additional stay command.

JustCallMeDave · 03-23-2008, 07:12 PM

Hang on, I think that Ubuntu has an open-source program that takes care of this...

Silver Hilton · 03-23-2008, 07:14 PM

Sorry Dave, this dog was born in Redmond...

Silver Hilton · 03-23-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yamhillbilly

you may find a time where it would be beneficial to have your dog stay in place other than the previously described scenario. We train ours with the additional stay command.

What are your expectations of the dog if you don't issue the 'stay' command? If you tell the dog to 'sit' and not to 'stay', is your dog allowed to get up when he feels like it?

Bobberman · 03-23-2008, 08:49 PM

Sit = Sit, untill released, not real sure what "stay" means.

Tilla · 03-24-2008, 04:30 AM

"Stay" makes you feel better.

Splash · 03-24-2008, 05:03 AM

Stay gives the dog the option to sit, stand or laydown as long as he stays put?

Yamhillbilly · 03-24-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Hilton

What are your expectations of the dog if you don't issue the 'stay' command? If you tell the dog to 'sit' and not to 'stay', is your dog allowed to get up when he feels like it?

Actually you can use the stay command to stop them from going forward into a danger situation. As well as when giving them a bath. In our house there is more in their world than just sit and down. Single commands for each action, works for me. So I'll use the sit, stay and get the benefits of learning more than one trick at a time.
Best of luck.

Silver Hilton · 03-24-2008, 01:53 PM

I use 'back' for what you're talking about. It works well for getting the dog to back away from the river, too.

BCF · 03-24-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splash

Stay gives the dog the option to sit, stand or laydown as long as he stays put?

BINGO!!!!

Tilla · 03-24-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splash

Stay gives the dog the option to sit, stand or laydown as long as he stays put?

I dunno, a command should not leave a dog with options, he might think it's OK to lay down, light a cigarette and read a book when all I wanted to do is keep him out of the water.

Hawaiian Time · 03-24-2008, 09:59 PM

I'm of the same mind frame. A dog standing on a "stay" command is one step away from breaking that command. But we do play a game that we need to have more control. "Sit" works for me but whatever works for you guys is what matters. HT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilla

I dunno, a command should not leave a dog with options, he might think it's OK to lay down, light a cigarette and read a book when all I wanted to do is keep him out of the water.

Silver Hilton · 03-25-2008, 06:38 AM

What I've always done is that a dog on a 'sit' is allowed to lie down. A dog on a 'down' is expected to lie down and stay down. A dog that has been told to 'back' is expected to back up and stay back. Usually it's a combination of 'back' and then 'sit'.

jvp · 03-25-2008, 09:38 AM

best answer i ever heard for what you ask is.

if your dog could be in danger by continuing to move be it a car coming and they are on the other side of the street or anything of the type and you want them to stop and not move immediately.

drano100 · 03-25-2008, 12:41 PM

I use heel, this means come and sit slightly behind and off my right side and await the next command.

Silver Hilton · 03-25-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvp

best answer i ever heard for what you ask is.

if your dog could be in danger by continuing to move be it a car coming and they are on the other side of the street or anything of the type and you want them to stop and not move immediately.

Which is what they are supposed to do when I say 'sit'. Wherever they are.

My question has been answered.