Sit, Stay, And Release:
Summary:
How to properly train your dog to sit, and stay, and then release using a specific release word. When all these commands are used in conjunction, they create a concise chain behavior. When you dog links them together as a complete behavior set you've succeeded.
Let us begin by dissecting this group of three commands.
- Sit is a "cease of action command."
- Stay is a "prolonged cease of action command."
- A Release word is a "call to action command."
When all these commands are used in conjunction, they create a concise chain behavior. The dog understands each action and then must link them together as a complete behavior set.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, the most effective way to train this chain is to begin by using only two commands. SIT and immediate RELEASE. The reason for this is to teach the dog first to cease action, then next to resume action.
SIT -> Release
After the dog understands the body mechanics of these two commands, you can secondarily introduce the STAY. First, by requiring your dog to stay for one second, then three seconds, and so on. Growing the patience in your dog for a prolonged stay.
The release word is so important because a dog will theoretically remain stationary for hours. Provided they can trust and rely upon the fact that they are being patient for that release. Versus a dog that does not have a release word and gets up when they deem appropriate. (Or their patience runs out.)
Happy Training