With dogs it can sometimes be confusing as to who is training who. Who but our dog would have us waving our hands while barking odd words or fetching treats and running after a tennis ball?
If you feel like your dog is training you then now is the time to assert your status as leader of the pack and get things back to where they should be. One way of doing this is to use the stay command frequently. The stay command entails the dog remaining in a stationery position while you move around – the reverse of what often happens.
To do this you first need to train the dog to the sit command when you use the word and the appropriate hand signals. Some trainers; myself included will snap their fingers while at the same time flipping the extended index finger down towards the ground. This should gain the dog’s attention without your having to use a clicker – it also shows the dog where his rear should be, this works very well. Whether you are working with a puppy, a young dog or a mature dog in the sit, you should push out your hand in the dog’s direction, palm first and fingers raised. While you do this you should also give the command to ‘stay.’ Try to ensure that while your voice is audible over other noises and distractions but without yelling. Remember! Your hand movements need to be precise and associated with a particular command/behaviour.
Take one step back.
If you take a step back the dog may attempt to follow, if this is the case then repeat the hand gestures for sit and stay. Should your dog not follow the command then take a treat or toy moving it over the dog’s head and slightly to the back of the eyes so that it is still visible but such that it forces the dog’s chin upwards. Some dogs will turn themselves around. Ignore this and repeat the process until the dog behaves appropriately, then praise him lavishly.
Now try again.
When you can get the dog to remain stationery while you take a step back, then you should try taking two steps back. Repeat the process until you have taken eight steps back. The further you are from the dog, the less control you have over it and the dog will want to follow the alpha or leader.
One way of preventing the dog from following you is to use a collar and leash on the dog. Then find a tree or post that is a few feet behind the dog and face the dog while holding the leash. When the dog stands and moves tug the rope while at the same time issuing the command and hand gesture. If you pull to hard it will unbalance the dog and you should be trying to restrain rather than punish. Sometimes people will use a partner but this can result in confusion for the dog as he is not sure which one of you to obey.
Once you start backing away then some dogs will lie down during the training exercise. In such cases it might be better to use an up and sit combination and leave mastering the stay command for another time. Different breeds and individuals will differ in the number of repetitions and the number of days it takes for them to obey the commands consistently – however, most dogs will grasp it in the end.
When the dog has remained stationery for a few seconds in the ‘stay’ issue the command to come while at the same time using an appropriate hand gesture. This should be a precise and easy gesture but not one that you would normally use. Such gestures should be unique to a command and reserved for the relevant behaviour.
Once your dog conforms to the come command you should praise him lavishly then repeat the exercise – making the stay last longer as the dog is learning. When you can re-enter the house while the dog stays, you will have succeeded in the task but don’t leave it too long before you issue the come command. He’ll expect you to return with treats and a ball and you shouldn’t disappoint him.
