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38. Sit - And Down-Stay Problems
How To Overcome Them

Dog Creeps On Stays

Fasten a long line to your dog's collar. Ask an assistant to hold the end, out of sight, in back of the dog. (The line can be run through a crack in the door or through shrubbery or bushes.) When the dog inches forward, the line is jerked sharply.

Dog Refuses To Stay

Ask an assistant to stand behind your dog and hold the handle of the leash. Whenever she moves, the assistant jerks the dog back to position.
If the dog breaks only occasionally, tempt her so you can get in a good correction. Put your dog on a long line, and ask an assistant to hold the end out of sight in back of the dog. Tell your dog "Stay!" Face her across the training area. Kneel, tap the ground, clap your hands, run, but don't call your dog. If the other antics cause the dog to move, call out a forceful "STAY!" before the assistant jerks the line.

Dog Rolls Over On Back When Put Down For The Down-Stay

Put your dog on leash. Command "Down!" and pull down on the leash. When the dog settles to the floor, call out firmly, "STAY!" If she rolls over in spite of the warning, quickly lift her to a sitting position, then again tell her "Down! STAY!" When the dog will lie down properly with the leash on, remove the leash but continue with the verbal command of "STAY!" after the dog goes down, until the extra command is no longer necessary.

Dog Sniffs Other Dogs

Train your dog to stay away from other dogs! Station a dog on either side of yours, and ask two assistants to stand close to them. If your dog runs to either of the others, ask the assistant to cuff your dog's muzzle with the back of her hand, or to flick a small, rolled magazine in your dog's face. Take her back where she was and try again.

Dog Sits Up On The Down

An assistant stands close to the dog while she is in the Down position. If the dog lifts herself to a sitting position, the assistant quickly taps her on the nose to make her lie down again. After the correction the assistant scratches the dog's ear or pats her.
Alternate correction: Put the dog on a long line and run it -through a ring on the floor or in the ground close to the dog's front paws. While an assistant holds the end, some distance away or out of sight, tempt your dog. Run, play with another dog, slam the door of your car or clap your hands. If your dog can't stand the activ­ities, and gets up, call out "STAY!" and let the assistant pull the dog down by jerking the line.

Dog Lies Down During The SIT And STAY

If your dog lies down when you are at a distance, try sliding something along a slippery floor toward her, or toss something underneath her to make her jump up to a sitting position.
Alternate correction: Use the leash or fasten a thin line to the dog's collar, then hook it to some object above the dog's head, leav­ing it slack enough that the dog won't feel the pull, yet not so slack as to permit the dog to lie down.
Correct the dog that lies down without permission by sauntering back until you are directly in front of the dog; then QUICKLY reach out with your foot and tap or scuff into her paws. Follow by patting.
Lying down from a Sit, or sitting from the Down, can sometimes be cured by surprising the dog when she changes position. The owner or an assistant watches from a hidden spot, and, when the dog moves, something is dropped close by to startle the dog, mak­ing her think her movement was the cause of what happened.
NOTE: This type of correction should not be made in a training class where there are other dogs that are behaving, or they will be confused.
If your dog is not afraid of strangers, ask someone to put your dog in the correct position when she breaks. If the dog thinks the judge or the steward at a dog show will do the same, she may have more respect for YOUR stay command.

Dog Sits When Handler Returns After The Down And Stay

When you return to your dog after the Down-stay, and find her sitting, or if she gets up while you are circling, cuff her sharply on the end of the nose and put her down again. Wait a few moments, then pat her while she is in the Down position.

Dog Whines During Sit- And Down-Stays

The following suggestions may be effective, if not a cure:

• Train your dog, as much as possible, to stay alone.
• Use a water gun  (have an assistant use one, also)  and
  squirt water at her whenever she whines.
• Muzzle the dog temporarily with a piece of gauze bandage.
  When she is quiet, take the bandage off. When she whines,
  put it on again.
• Consult your veterinarian. Ask if he recommends a tran-
  quilizer to calm your dog's nerves.

A dog that has learned to stay alone will be less inclined to whine or to break the Stays than the dog that always has compan­ionship. Train your dog to be independent so that she will feel secure when left alone.

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