This can save you so many headaches...
Imagine your doorbell rings. Instead of a barking puppy running in circles around your feet, you see a calm dog laying down on his bed. Imagine your puppy waiting at every crosswalk until you tell him there are no cars coming. Imagine him waiting patiently for you outside CVS while you have your prescriptions filled.
Okay, first let's work on getting him to sit still for a few seconds!
- Have a BUNCH of different, small treats in your treat pouch.
- Ask puppy to sit.
- Wait one extra second before you give him a treat (don't say your positive marker).
- If he gets up after you give him the treat, say "eh-eh" and put him back in a sit.
- Give him a treat while he's still in the sitting position, followed by another treat a few seconds later.
- Continue to give treats until puppy can continue sitting ten seconds between each treat without getting up.
- Now start giving puppy the "stay" hand signal immediately after you treat. (Palm facing puppy, all fingers spread)
- If puppy lays down, don't make him sit up again. It's easier to start with a "stay in place" than "stay in position."
- Once puppy stays ten-fifteen seconds at a time with just the hand signal, say "stay" then immediately give the hand signal.
- Start taking one step back after giving your cue, then come forward and give puppy the treat.
- Slowly add distance from puppy.
- Always come back to puppy to give him the treat- don't call him to you (this makes him think it's okay to leave before you get to him).
- Release puppy with his positive marker when you are done. Always give him breaks to wiggle (HE IS A PUPPY, AFTER ALL!)
- Slowly add in duration and distraction to stay.
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