Anyone else out there see this? I've been reading....came across this in two books. In How to Speak Dog, Coren suggests that it is a sign of stress and that dogs who do this are more likely to break the stay. Monks of New Skete suggest it's a sign of anticipation.

I've been going back re-working Heidi on her stays- increased time and distractions-positive only- no corrections. Not using food- only ball rewards. We're at 3 min's- collar and leash on- and walking around her about 8 ft out tossing a ball in the air. She's not breaking-looks pretty close though. Surely the raised paw isn't stress related..... or am I stressing her with excitement of the ball tossing? Should I stop this even though she's not breaking?

See it all the time - stress, supplication, who knows. But if you lightly push on the opposing shoulder til she has to put it down to balance, and then instantly reward at that moment, you can eliminate it.

I have seen this... what I would do.. if she raises a paw.. is just go back to her, calmly.. put her foot on the ground.. I use the word foot..to put her foot on the ground I gently take hold of her collar.. and pull her lightly in the direction the paw is up..(right foot.. light pull to the right) and if she holds that foot on the ground for a couple seconds reward it..I would probably reward with food .. in position for this.. I have seen it more in sitting beside handler in heel position or front positions..

Jody

Sch3FH2.. we must have been writing at the same time!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I will try both suggestions tonight!

Thanks!

Oh, when you both say reward after the paw is down, should I "okay" her out of the stay and reduce time-distractions-distance for the next sit stay? or reward her in the stay? Food may be better for finishing the time- I know if I give the ball, Heidi break without an "okay".

You have to focus on one aspect of the sit at a time. First fix the raised paw and forget about the duration of the behavior until the behavior is correct to start with. At first, reward with the big reward (ball) the instant the foot hits the ground(release word and ball). She needs to make the connection that it is the foot on the ground that is being rewarded, not the duration of the behavior (which is why you reward instantly when she complies; don't pause and let her hold the sit because then she will not build the association with the foot as quickly. She will believe she is being rewarded for HOLDING the position, not for assuming the correct sit position. Focus on one thing at a time). And I wouldn't use a separate word. The command is sit, period. If you put the behavior "on cue" by using "foot" as a separate command, you are teaching her that sit means sit with one foot up, and foot means put your foot down, cuz you will be giving her a separate command "foot" and when she complies, she is rewarded. That behavior is now distinct from the sit command you gave many seconds previously. One command tells the dog what the behavior is and he isn't rewarded til he offers it correctly. You also have to be consistent - watch for the same behavior in your front position during a recall and don't reward until the foot comes down.

Anyone else out there see this? I've been reading....came across this in two books. In How to Speak Dog, Coren suggests that it is a sign of stress and that dogs who do this are more likely to break the stay. Monks of New Skete suggest it's a sign of anticipation.

I think this needs to be evaluated more closely....is the dog's middle toe raised above the level of its paw? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I knew a Springer Spaniel who did this all the time. The trainer said it definately was anticipation. The dog came from hunting lines and the owners did not try to retrain the behaviour even though they would possibly lose points in a trial. I thought it was kinda cute. Do you think it's a genetic or a personality trait? I have also seen Shelties do this.

good point SCH3FH2.. I will elimanate that extra word if I have this issue again.. didn't think of that...