SIT & STAY

For Hide and Seek, your dog needs to be able to sit, stay with you out of her sight, and come to a command, whistle or her name.

SIT

If your dog cannot sit, it's really easy to teach. Weeks old puppies sit on command. Luna and Foster know hand commands so I don't have to use a verbal command. Dogs usually get it really quickly. To teach Sit, treats are helpful.

1. Show your dog the treat.
2. Say "Sit" and bring the treat above his eyes - not too high so he has to jump up to get it, but maybe two inches or so above his eyes and head.
3. When he sits, give him the treat and lots of praise.
4. Practice it several times each day.

Some trainers will recommend you push your dog's butt down if he doesn't sit upon command. I think dogs can figure this out without your pushing them down (Dogs trained as show dogs can have more challenges learning this "trick" as they've been taught to stand more than sit, but they figure it out too.). What I caution is repeating the command over and over if your dog doesn't sit at first. What your dog tends to learn is that he doesn't have to sit until the fourth time you say "Sit."

Recap: Hold the treat above your dog's head. Say "Sit" (or whatever you want for the action) once. Maybe twice. Your dog should figure it out. And give him that treat when he sits! You may find he sits without you even saying anything!


STAY

Attach a leash to your dog's collar. You can have her sit first or not. Sitting first can be helpful, but it's not essential. Stand next to her and say "Stay," or whatever you want to use for the action. The hand signal like "Stop" is basically a universal Stay command. Use this at the same time as you say "Stay." When she stays in place for a few seconds, praise her with words and/or a treat. If she doesn't stay in place, you can say something like "No" or "Hey" or "Ahh" and use the leash to put her back into the exact same place.

Practice and increase the distance and time you step away. Step to the side of your dog. Step in front. Use increasing lengths of leash or rope. When she stays, return to her with praise and/or a treat. If she "breaks the Stay," use the leash to put her back in the exact same spot and start again. Patience and praise lead to success!


BIG IMPORTANT TIP

End your training session on a success. If it's not going well, don't say, "Oh forget it!" Breathe, relax, try one more time, and end when you and your dog have a success!