Obedience and Stand

[Mirg]

I decided to start both my Springers in Obedience. I have been working on them with Heeling, Figure 8's, Standing for examination (mainly just stand on command right now), Recall, Sit/Stay, and Down/Stay. I am just working on the "Novice" section since that is the first section i would compete in, in 4-H, so all of this is on a 6' leash.

So far, A.j. is doing ok, not the best because he doesnt pay attention to me which annoys me, which he detects that annoyance, so he stops doing as good. So i think i need to work on paying attention with him.

Simetra is doing really good. The main thing i need to work on with her is her standing. Thats another question i had: Is there any tips anyone has for me on getting a "scared-to-stand" dog to stand? She is doing really good so far. I tell her to stand and push lightly on her belly, which makes her stand up, then i praise a whole bunch. Its amazing how you can see her relax after she realizes im only going to praise, not yell at her. The only problem is that she will sit down the instant i move away, but i think she will get better after another week or so. She has had more training in Obedience than A.j. I started her in Obedience about a week ago.

I talked to her previous owner and she admitted that she mainly taught Simetra to sit, and not evening it out by teaching her to stand. She claims thats why Simetra is afraid to stand, but what i think happened was, she was teaching Simetra to sit, she probably scolded Simetra for standing up, instead of praising her when she sat down, thus making Simetra think that she will get yelled at if she stands up. I dont know, i could be wrong.

Im also really interested in Rally, i looked it up and it looks really fun. I dont think 4-H has it though, so im sticking with Obedience training for now. I will probably do Rally just for fun during summer.

So, any tips/suggestions on Obedience, Rally, or teaching a dog Stand on command, id be very greatful!

[Spiritus]

One of the ways I teach stand is luring. Hold a yummy piece of bait between your pointer finger and index finger. Put it in front of her nose, palm facing the dog, and then move your hand backwards. She has to get up to "follow" the food. The second her bum is off the floor, tell her GOOD GIRL, and give her the treat. This will teach the movement from sit to stand. After she will keep getting up repetetively with the hand signal (palm of hand facing her moving away from her), start putting the command "stand" to the hand signal. Be careful when you move your hand back that you don't move it too far. You only want to move it enough to get her up, but not take a step forward.

If she is nervous about the stand, I wouldn't try adding the stay in for quite a while. Get her comfortable with the action of moving from sitting to standing, then used to standing, then when you do start implementing the stay with the stand, only go toe-to-toe, meaning, just pivot around in front of her, count to three, and pivot back beside her. Gradually add time to the toe-to-toe, then gradually build distance. Take your time with it.

I was told by a very good trainer that dogs, when stressed, will do the behavior they were first taught to do as puppies. If the first thing a dog learned was to sit, then that dog will sit when it's stressed. I have one dog that won't sit if her life depends on it. She was taught the stand for the conformation ring a little too well.....

[Mirg]

Thats all great information!!

I will try that tomarrow, i noticed that Simetra likes to "scoot" on her but instead of getting up to get ready to walk, so we will have to see what happens. Shes pretty crazy about the treats i have, though, so maybe i can lure her into a stand.

Thank you so much for all the good info!!

[tessa_s212]

Spritus, are you sure you mean to say backwards instead of forwards? If the dog is sitting,what you describe would be more likely to cause a begging behavior than a stand.

[Spiritus]

You stand beside the dog in a heel position. Leash is in your left hand, treat is in your right. Bring your right hand around in front of you to the dog's nose, palm of your hand to the dog. Then, move it perpendicular to the ground, backwards, NOT upwards.

[mrsgrubby]

Originally Posted by Spiritus

One of the ways I teach stand is luring. Hold a yummy piece of bait between your pointer finger and index finger. Put it in front of her nose, palm facing the dog, and then move your hand backwards. She has to get up to "follow" the food. The second her bum is off the floor, tell her GOOD GIRL, and give her the treat. This will teach the movement from sit to stand. After she will keep getting up repetetively with the hand signal (palm of hand facing her moving away from her), start putting the command "stand" to the hand signal. Be careful when you move your hand back that you don't move it too far. You only want to move it enough to get her up, but not take a step forward.

.....

This is exactly how I teach stand too,.

[oc_spirit]

I do the same as Spiritus but if a dog is really being stubborn about not standing then I put my hand just in front of their hind leg OR on their tummy just in front of the groin area and push up gently. As soon as their butts leave the ground I praise. Then I build from their butts just laving the ground to a little off the ground, to only getting a treat if they''re in a full stand.

Another way to teach it is to lead the dog forward a couple steps to make then stand and then reward.

[Mirg]

Ok, thank you! That what i did yesterday, i would lightly push on her belly then praise a whole bunch when her butt left the ground. I didnt get a lesson in today, i have to take a shower then ill have to squeeze a lesson in before we go to town (and hopefully get better dog food and some toys ). Simetra really seemed to respond to what i did then, but i want to try what Spiritus said.