Ok, My previous thread, asking how to do a good job of teaching a 'stay' was virtually untouched. So, after doing some research on the forum I'm going to kick it up a notch in hopes of getting some more responses. As I said, I am having trouble figuring out how to teach Levi how to 'stay', however, it has come to my attention that people are using the word 'release' alot on the forum. Some don't even use the word 'stay' they just make the dog wait for a release. Others use the 'stay' command and don't say much about a release. So, at the risk of bashing an already discussed thread. Should I even be teaching the stay command? Whether or not I teach this command...how does one perform a release? What markers does one use in teaching such a command? Either stay or just know I mean to do as I say until I tell you otherwise...??

Personally, I tell my dogs to stay. Some sports require excercises where you are not allowed to give a stay command, that the dog be given its stationary command (stand, sit, down) and the dog remain there until released.
But I feel it absoloutley necessary to give a release command. The dog needs to know there is a definate beginning and end to what it is being told to do. A dog should not feel obligated to end a command because it feels it doesn't wish to sit there anymore. If I put my dog in a down stay, she understands she is to stay there until I release her, no matter what is going on around her; other dogs approaching, my running around/jumping over her like a lunatic, things thrown around, in front of shopping areas with many people and noises etc etc... If I never used a release command, she would just get up and go as soon as I put her into a down lol. I can see it now, if it were up to her, there would be no stay.

If you are still planning on schutzhund with this dog, you don't need "stay". You don't want to get in the habbit of saying it because it is considered a double command. Instead teach a release command like "free" or whatever word you want (except ok). I am wondering if you are trying to teach too much too soon. Better to play a lot with the pup. For instance, instead of a formal "here" teach him that coming into your arms is a safe, good place to be. He is way too young for corrections, so be careful not to set him up for failure. At this age you want to just be able to reward him & ignore or redirect unwanted behaviors.

Thank you Susan for making two things clear to me..One, what a release command is! Now I understand that a release command is ANY word that I choose that helps him to understand that he can cease doing whatever it is I originally asked him to do. I was thinking it in much more complicated terms than that. Funny how we do that sometimes isn't it? Two, for addressing his age and what I am attempting to teach him. I have had Levi for 3 months now I think and in that amount of time I have worked formally with him very little. Even so, all work that has been done he has retained and never lets me down when I ask something of him that he has previously been taught. Still, I have tried to spend time playing with and bonding with him. He, imo, is still very much a baby, in spite of his large puppy size. So, you have helped me to understand that it's okay that he not be fully trained at this young age. Together with you and Jennifer I have realized that playing and working can be one in the same and that it's the success of the dog that matters most..not the accomplishment of the trainer. I am grateful as always for the time and advice given in this forum. Don't know what I would do on my own..probably wander aimlessly through hordes of information until I was seasick!

Hi Robin,

Most of my training with puppies starts in my kitchen while I cook. All motivational, with food rewards. I keep a bowl of their tastie treats available. The beginning steps of dog training is teaching your dog the concept of "how" to learn, this is why being consistent in what you do is important. In my experience it all seems to come together when they are about 2yrs old. Kinda like building a house of cards, slow and steady. Oh, and FUN!!!

Best of luck with your good-lookin guy.
Debbie

OK Ms. Tuck,

Why not use "OK" as a general release? Just curious.

I usually use a command to release, such as "come" or "go" or "up" or "in" or some other directive utterance. But every now and then, when I release the dogs for a mad minute I just say "OK."

Hi Mike
Not to speak for susan but this is my take, I taught OK as a release and find that it is too common a word. I have said it meaning OK you did good. And he releases when I didn't mean it. Not the dogs fault but mine. Free isn't something I would say without thinking.

I use a release to mean you can do what you want now. With you using come or go etc. isn't that just another command for the dog to follow not really being released to do what it wants?
Bob

Folks, you can use the word "ok" for a release if it isn't a word that you commonly use ( I use "ok", but I don't use it as part of my speech generally ).

Failing that,I like the use of the term "free dog" as a release, it's a term that is popular with most of the agility handlers and works well for many situations.

I use "ok' as a release word and it works for me. That said I will use "free" for my next dog for the reasons mentioned above. I think the tone I use for the release "okay" is different than the regualar okay I use in every day speech. Better to avoid any confusion and use commands not used in every day speech.

Cheers,