All of the following by way of asking, what are the applications, protocols or reasons for attaching the command 'stay' to the command 'down' or 'sit?'

I have gotten out of the habit of working on the 'stay' as a command associated with 'down' or 'sit' or any tandem command. 'Stay' for me is implied by my command to 'down' or 'sit' until released.

If I use 'stay' it is a proximity command like 'stay' in the truck bed, or 'stay' and don't go through the open gate, I've got my hands full.

'Down' and I'll command a release. 'Sit' and I'll command a release. Usually the release is 'OK' in the backyard and a play release. Or 'come' when releasing from a long down, to gush verbal and physical praise.

As I mentioned, I do use 'stay' but mostly in a general and proximate way. And I know I'm lazy when it comes to conventional training. But for me, with multiple dogs, I've come to use their name to get a specific dog's attention and command, or a command to address all of the dogs, such as 'Freya, down' or 'down.'

So, is 'stay' a kind of punctuation for 'down?'

Just curio0us what y'all have to opine.

I use it, kind of like you say, as descriptive punctuation. Not the actual word "stay" but I do have a "wait" command.

If we're heading out somewhere, all the dogs rush to the gait and sit with butts wiggling. This was trained with a "sit" command and a release but it's is pretty much automatic now.

Having a pack yourself, I'm sure you know the anticipation/excitement level when heading out on an adventure. They get to the gait and sit without me commanding anything these days. I wiggle thru them, because, you know, the best seat is as close to the gate latch as possible.

If the vehicle is ready, I'll often go thru the gate and give them an OK to come with me. If I want time outside the gate, I'll give them the "wait" command. Nobody moves, gate open or not.

Out hiking, I actually use it quite often. Nobody wants to be left behind but there are times when I need to separate them; someone has to "come" and someone has to "wait".

For me, it's mainly used as a universal command for the pack. A layer of communication when I've got 3 faces staring at me, anxiously awaiting the next command, letting them know to remain where they are, in the position they are in and it may be a bit before their next direction is coming.

If I had only one dog, I don't know that it would be as necessary.

After reading some of the related threads on this, I've also tried to get away from using the "stay" command when using sit or down. Same as what you mentioned, I use it more as a command related to proximity than to remain in sit or down.

For example, if I'm returning from a walk and have a bag of, well you know, to throw in the garbage can, I'll tell the girls to "stay" while I leave them on the driveway and walk the 20 feet out of the way to dump the trash. Or, if I have the car door open and, prior to releasing them to come out, I may have to pick up or move something, I'll tell them to stay.

Otherwise, I use a "wait" command. We have two dogs. When going out the door to relieve themselves, I'll call out one girl's name to wait while the other is released to go out. I don't care if they're in a sit, down, or stand at that point. I just want them to not trample each other.

I use 'wait' as heel X_X when I come to a road I use sit,wait, then stay. Strangely; the second day I got my GSD he learned sit! The day after, he learned stay, then paw, then laydown O.o all in the space of a week... usually the tricks are for fun; especially Play dead and BANG!

My favorite command that he has learned is to attack on command. He is registered even at 6m/old, with a bite force of 110 pounds!But Zack enjoys the training of anything new and so do I :3

I use stay if the dog is already in a down or sit position on his own accord.
ex:

Tucker is lying on his bed, I haven't given him the command to down, he's just lying down. I get up to grab something upstairs and don't want him to follow me he gets a stay. Our stairways are narrow so its generally easier if he's not with me and im carrying something.

or if we're outside and I need to go out front for a second and he's already sitting or in a down (not because ive given a command...he's just in that position)i'll tell him to stay otherwise he'll follow me.
If he's already lying down im not going to give him the sit command in order to get him to stay.

I guess I could've used wait...but it seems like everyone else's wait is like my stay...lol.

your dog has an extremely long neck lol

deleted response to off-topic post

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/26/2012 11:05 AM)
Edit reason: self delete

C.J.: It's not any different with one dog, except that the one dog may be more spoiled and thus needs focused attention.

Mike: Sadie likes to go anywhere I go (and she would prefer to lead!), so "Stay" means "You must remain in the house, yard, crate, etc. while I go somewhere else."; hence, it is a proximity cue and not a command.

"Wait" is a command, with multiple uses. "Wait" at the door, gate etc. means exactly what you guys use it for. "Wait" on an off-leash jaunt (I live in a neighborhood with no loose dogs, next to a huge lot, where it's possible)is for not letting her get too far ahead or go around a corner out of my sight. On that command, she'll either stop right there and wait, or come back to usher me a little quicker... I don't care which as long as she doesn't bolt.

There is another twofold concept that I use; "Come", which is "front and center, and I don't care how far away you are.", and "This way" which is a long-distance cue to redirect; "You don't have to come front and center, but we are now going over here".

 Quote: Amber Osland

your dog has an extremely long neck lol

lol...tell me about it!
he's crossed with a goose im sure of it!

BTW, "this way", combined with markers, is VERY effective when building invisible boundaries/fences/perimeters.