I got stays with Marcie and Maggie by using traditional training methods, because I haven't found another way to do them.
Macy doesn't have a stay. She will hang out at t the table for a few moments, but I have to be motionless.
I don't want to continue this problem with Dulce, so I have been taking extra lessons with clicker trainers, and trying to get a good place to create a stay for both dogs.
I've finally hit on a plan that I think will work.
First, I am training close and trying to get duration first. I am also using the crate in crate games.
So, I have both dogs on the following schedule and am using a stop watch:
Crate "stay": 10 minutes. I use what we have from crate games to get them to stay in the crate with the door open for 10 minutes. Both dogs have tried exiting but Macy is the most successful.
Down "stay": 5 mintes. I reinforce the down stay by treating in the stay, and putting them back. Neither of them can stay for the entire 5 minutes yet, but it isn't bad.
Sit "stay": 3 minutes. Again, treating when they are in the sit and putting them back if they get up.
Stand "stay": 1 minute.
I am right with them, sitting close so I can fix any problems and plan to stay that way until we are completely successful over several trials. Then I'll start adding distractions.
I am very picky about training stays as my first obedience beagle had a stay problem, and I've never really been able to get the concept in Macy's head. I know people add distractions WAY to soon, and I might be going overboard the other way.
