My almost 2 year old GSD is doing great with his training! He is froom working lines and is a lot of dog. I have really ha dto *lift me game* in order to get the best out of him. the problem I now have is that if he cannot see me (ie he is on a stay and I leave his sight) he begins whining, whingeing and yelping. He will also break his stay and start getting mre and more upset until I return to him.

At home he is nowhere near as bad but out in the yard or at an unfamiliar location, he is just diabolical..

Suggestions please???

I would say that it's time to go back to the drawing board on this one. Start over on the stay where he can see you, rewarding if he doesn't break it. Gradually increase the distance. And then begin heading out of sight or a very small period and reward when he doesn't break it. Again, gradually increase the distance. Have frequent, but short, sessions. Don't forget the reward and the praise. The dog should have a clear picture of what behavior you like.

Then start the whole process over again when you're in an unfamiliar location.

Also, make sure that you return to the dog to reward. Do not call the dog to you or release the dog from a stay while you're far away or out of sight. If you do, the dog will be more likely to break the stay to come running to find you. Do you have a clear release command? If not, choose one and stick to it so that everything is very simple and clear to the dog. IMO, a very large part of effective training is done through simple, clear communication.

Finally, you may want to try these training sessions after your dog has been exercised and isn't amped up. It's easier to teach a calmer dog the long stay than one who's rip-roaring to go.

Ultimately, your dog should do a stay for whenever and where ever you ask and for how long you ask. But for now: baby steps. It sounds like your dog could have a bit of seperation anxiety and insecurity in these situations, and having a dog do a long stay with you out of sight in an unfamiliar local is a high level distraction for a dog.

You'll need patience with this training because the dog has already developed a pattern of behavior. Do not rush things, or this will keep happening, IMO.

Good luck!