OK I will admit I have never been able to get a dog to stay. Does anyone have experience with this. I am not going to give up!

By the way our Australian Shepard's name is Sugar. She is black with tan feet and looks more like a Border Collie. She's real smart and looks at the goats longingly right now, but boy her previous owner sure did spoil her!

Has anyone near or in NC 'herd' of the Shoofly Ranch? Apparantly they are near Oxford and train Border Collies.

-- Lynn (johnnypfc@yahoo.com), June 15, 2001

Answers

I use a leash clipped to a heavy object,ie; foot of the bed, leg of sofa, screw eye in base board etc. and clip the dog up short in a lay down stay position [I add a clip 12 inches or less from the collar]. The dog is told stay with a hand sign. [I like a two fingers pointing down, but my blue heelers needed a palm to the nose,] Then play near the dog, with food and toys, what ever is tempting to the dog, if the dog freaks out hold them down and sooth with your voice and a piece of treat if needed. After a few seconds of good behavior unclip them and reward with praise or nibble of treat. For calm dogs or when the not so calm dog learns they can't get up and stops fighting it, walk away a few steps , further each time, repete the voice and hand sign as you go. If they remain calm then reward, if they freak hold and sooth, after a few seconds or minutes [gradually increaseing the time] reward only upon return, After a while they seem to think the sign/comand means they are clipped, and they stop trying it to leave. Some well trained dogs will not even get up to pee, so if they make sounds while in "stay" be sure to check on them.

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), June 16, 2001.

I could tell you here, but try reading "The Monk's of New Skeet; How to be your dogs best friend". I've used thier method for years with very good success. Most likely available at your local library, or inter-library loan (inquire at library desk).

Good luck.

-- Marty (Mrs.Puck@Excite.com), June 16, 2001.

Place your dog on a long leash or rope at least 6 feet; put the dog in a down position (lay), step back one step and say 'stay' and if you desire you can use a hand signal at the same time.... wait a few seconds, then treat him ..food works great and lots of praise! Release her with your release command ..Ok, release or whatever you use, including a hand signal if you will be using them. (I like using hand signals if the dogs are in the field working saves my voice). By now the dog is up, take her back to the same spot and repeat.

Repeat this a couple of times, always treat and give a release command. Always bring the dog back to the same spot. Then make her 'stay' a little longer each time and as you do, you move a little farther back each time, walk around him, turn your back and walk away, then face the dog, release and treat. As she masters each step you extend the distance and length of time. If the dog gets up, return her to the same spot and back to her lay (sit or stand) position then move closer and repeat. If the dog gets up or moves, always return her to the same place and do not treat.

Do this also from a sit and a stand position. This doesn't take long, 10-15 minutes each day or even every other day. Even if you make the dog do this every time you see her. Carry treats in your pocket.

This is fun and should be a happy time for your dog so she 'wants' to do this.

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), June 17, 2001.