Games Good Dogs Play: Three Ways to Stay!

http://www.thegooddogjournal.com/2011/01/treat-abcs.htmlChances are you've attended an obedience course or two and you and your dog have practiced the "stay" command in sit and down, and possibly even in the stand position. Your dog probably stays quite well in a controlled practice situation without alot of distractions. But what happens if you walk away, or someone else leaves the room or you pet's favorite toy suddenly rolls off the table onto the floor? Every time your dog breaks a stay he learns that it's okay and even fun. Stay is boring, greeting newcomers, following you to see what you're up to or pouncing on a toy is probably alot more rewarding to him. But you can make "stay" more interesting by making it a game.

Game 1 I'll be Right Back

This game assumes that your dog already knows the "stay" command and can stay reasonably well if you are standing right in front of him or walk a few feet away. This game works best with dogs who are food motivated.

The set up:  Let your dog follow you around as you place several small containers or piles of tasty treats out of his reach around the room. Three or four spots will do. For example if you're in the living room put a small pile of treats on a window, one on the mantle, one on the book shelf and one on the top of the TV stand. Each pile should contain a 3-5 treats. (If your dog is very food motivated you may need to start with less interesting treats in the beginning or he may find it too hard to focus on his stay. You can add more interesting treats later (See Treat ABCs) once he gets the hang of it.)

The Rules: Your dog must sit (or down or stand) and stay while you retrieve treats from around the room to bring to him one at a time. If he gets up, he forfeits his treat and you start over from the beginning. If he stays in position, he gets a treat.

Game Play: Call your dog over to you and have him sit, stand or lay down and tell him to stay. Once he is in position and the command has been given move to the nearest treat stash, pick up a treat, return to him and give him your reward marker and his treat. Remind him to stay and then move to the next treat stash and repeat. Once you've gone through all the treat stashes, give him the release command while you are right in front of him and tell him what an awesome dog he is.

If your dog breaks his stay during his this game, give him the no reward marker and return to him quickly. If you already have a treat in your hand, slip it into your pocket. He does not get this treat. You may return it to the pile on your next trip. Return him to his original position, repeat the stay command and proceed with the game.

For beginners: The first few times you play this game, place all the treat piles on one side of the room and have your dog stay facing that side of the room so you don't have to go around behind him. Back away from your dog toward the treat stash maintaining eye contact at all times. Once he gets the hang of it, you can start turning your back on him, glancing over your shoulder frequently to let him know you're still watching.

Intermediate Level: Place treats all around the room so the you have to walk around behind him and off to the side to retrieve them. Turn your back as you walk away but keep your ears open for the sound of him breaking his stay! Move around the room at a steady, confident pace. You do not have to take a direct route to the treats.

Advanced Level: Place treats in other rooms as well so that you have to leave the room to retrieve some of them. Keep your ears open for the sound of him breaking his stay and get back to him quickly. Increase your pace around the room. Get the kids involved and have them run to grab the treats and back to deliver them.

Trouble Shooting: If at any level you find your dog is breaking his stay more than three times in a row, go back to the previous level, even if he has performed successfully at this level before. If he still has trouble, make him perform a very basic stay for about 10 to 20 seconds and reward that so you can end on a positive note. Move on to something else or relax for awhile and try again.

If your dog just doesn't get the whole "stay while I fetch the treat" thing, call in a second person to help. The second person should stand next to your dog and have a hold of his leash while you go off slowly to fetch the treats. If your dog breaks his stay, you freeze while the second person gives the no reward marker and re-establishes the stay. Once your dog is back in position, unfreeze and continue. Repeat. He'll get it.

Game 2: Don't Fetch Just Yet

This game works best for dogs who love balls and assumes that your dog already has the basic idea of "fetch" and enjoys it. It is a valuable game to play with ball obsessed dogs to help them learn to help them contain the mania a bit. If your dog prefers to fetch another toy, such as a Frisbee or a dumbbell, feel free to use that instead of a ball.

The Setup: All you need is your dog, a leash and a ball. If your dog isn't good at retrieving or releasing the ball, you may need a second ball or a pocket full of treats to help him along. This an all off leash games should only be played in a secure fenced area or indoors.

The Rules: Your dog must sit and stay before you throw the ball. Then he must continue to sit and stay until you release him to chase the ball.

Game Play: Call your dog over and have him sit and stay. Hold the leash firmly and make sure you have a wide, firm stance, especially if your dog is large and you are small. Now toss the ball gently, underhand, in the direction your dog is facing. If he dashes after the ball, use the leash to restrain him and put him back into his sit/stay position. Keep him there for about five seconds, then release him and say "Go get it!" (or "fetch" or whatever) in an excited voice. Once he gets the ball, call him to return to you. Then give him the drop command or trade the ball for a treat. Repeat until you're beat. It usually only takes 3 or 4 repetitions before the dog gets the "you can't get the ball till I release you" thing.

Beginner: Always throw the ball in the direction your dog is facing, never off to the side or over his head. Begin with a gentle roll and advance to farther and higher throws.

Intermediate: Throw the ball off to the side.

Advanced: Throw the ball over your dog's head and behind him.

Trouble Shooting: If at any time your dog seems to have forgotten the rules, go back a step and work your way up again, even if your dog has performed well at this level before.

Some dogs will forget they ever wanted to fetch the ball in the first place if you make them stay too long. Keep the stays short at first and gradually increase them. Once your dog is staying long enough to forget all about the ball, it's not a game anymore so why do it?

For very large and powerful dogs, you may want to have one person control the dog while the other throws the ball the first few times to avoid dislocated shoulders.

Game 3: Stay While I Take This
This dog works best for toy motivated dogs. In addition to strengthening stay, this game also strengthens retrieval skills, builds impulse control and provides a great deal of mental stimulation.

The Setup: You  will need a toy your dog likes quite well. His favorite toy might be too much of a distraction at first, depending on how focused he is on it. The first few times you play this game you may want to have a second person holding your dog on a leash until he learns the rules. A pocketful of treats is always helpful.


The Rules: Your dog must stay while you hide his toy.Once the toy is hidden, you will return to your dog's side and release him to go find it.

Game Play: Have your dog sit, stand or down and stay. Show him the toy. Walk  away and hide it. Return to your dog's side. Release him and tell him to go get it in an excited voice. If he has trouble, go along with him cheering him on the whole time. Once he has the toy, ask him to drop it, trading it for a treat every 3rd or 4th time.

Beginner: Move only a few feet away and "hide" the toy in plain sight. Slide it halfway under the couch, put it on the floor and place a towel over it, etc. Then return to his side and release him. Do not wave the toy around, shake it or squeak it at this level.

Intermediate: Walk into an a-joining room and squeak the toy or drop it heavily on the floor as you place it in plain sight, then return to your dog's side, release him and go along with him to find the toy.

Advanced: Actually hide the toy. You may need to go along with your dog to find it the first few times. Remember to let him now how great he is when he finds it. And be fair- no closed doors, no high shelves or furniture he's not allowed on!

Troubleshooting: At each level you may need to have a second person restrain your dog as you walk off with his favorite toy at first. Once your helper has given the signal that your dog is in position and calm, you can return and release him to go find the toy. He will eventually learn that this is fun game and it all goes better if he follows the rules and you'll be able to send your helper packing, especially if he is rewarded with a treat or, better yet, a quick game of tug or fetch when he returns the toy.

As with all exercises, if find your dog is having trouble at a certain level, back up to a lower level for the day.

If your dog is having trouble finding the toy, go along with him on the search and don't be afraid to give lots of hints (point! Dogs and humans uniquely understand pointing.) Some dogs simply aren't cut out for search and will have more fun digging up what you point at than figuring it out for themselves.

Great Holiday Gifts for Your Best Friend

It's that time of year again! The time of year when we have an excuse to spoil our pets (as if we needed one). This year, consider some of my favorite products for your pampered pooch.

Gifts for the Canine the Fitness Buff

Most dogs don't get enough exercise. It's not always our fault either. It's just really hard for a two-legged human to keep up with a four-legged exercise buddy. They almost always leave us in the dust and some of us just aren't the best runners in the first place. Enter the Walky Dog Hands Free Bicycle Leash. Now your dog can have a high impact workout while you ride in comfort on your bike. Not into biking? The consider getting yourself a pair of roller blades!

Don't forget while you're out in the slushy Michigan snow with your big ole' boots that the rock salt we use to keep our sidewalks safe can eat away at your dog's tender paws - just look what it does to those boots, and your car! So consider PAWZ Disposable Reusable Bootsfor your tenderfoot and if he's not into fashion, Musher's Secret will help protect those pads.

Sometimes the fault lies with our schedule. We get so busy we skip our own Yoga class, and completely forget about Fido's aerobics. If this is the case, consider getting your pup a package at Camp BowWow. You can get  5-day or 10-day daycare packages at most camps and you don't have to use them consecutively. Drop your dog off once or twice a week and pick him up tired and ready for bed. Or if your dog prefers to work out at home, consider a treadmill. Get the right one and you'll both get some good use out of it.

But maybe your dog does get plenty of exercise and is looking to shake up the routine a bit. I've got you covered there too. Consider getting some agility equipment for your back yard.

Gits for Clever Canines
If your dog is an evil genous (You know the type, he's too smart for his own good, bores easily and is constantly coming up with new and exciting ways to drive you nuts. He probably eats all sorts of things that can kill him just for attention too. Yea, that's him.) everything is a puzzle to solve. So, get him some puzzles! Try Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Interactive Plastic Toy or the Aikiou Interactive Dog Feeder. Once he's figured those puzzles out, he won't have time to figure out how to take apart your vertical blinds!

Consider also one of my favorite dog training books, The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book: All you need to turn even the most mischievous pooch into a well-behaved pet.  That will get him on the path toward using his powers for good.

Gifts for Canine Couch Potatoes

If you'd like to get your dog a new bed (or the perfect "place" for my clients) consider West Paw Design Nature Nap Dog Mat, Large, Beach Glass. These wonderful mats come in a variety of sizes, are super comfy, fold up for travel and come in a variety of sizes that fit in your dog's crate.
If your dog has trouble jumping into the car due to age or joint problems, consider the Pet Studio Rampstep, or the PetSTEP Pet Ramp.

Gifts for Extreme Dogs

The Extreme Fetcher Does your dog drive you nuts with endless requests to throw the ball? It's time to mix things up a bit with the Chuckit! Ball Launcher and a Chuckit! Fetch Medley Balls .

The Extreme Chewer If your dog enjoys a good chew more than anything else, you'll make his day with a some Deer Antlers.  Dogs love em and they last longer than bones.  


So What are my spoiled pooches getting for Christmas?

Musher's Secret, a bunch of deer antlers and a Kyjen Fleecy Clean Split Double Tug Dog Toy. But don't tell!

Do you buy gifts for your dogs for the holidays? If you try any of these out, I'd love to hear your comments!