Four great exercises to see how your dog’s impulse control is developing!
1. STAY WITH RELEASE
Demonstrates impulse control and the ability to remain stationary with distractions.
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Place your dog in a sit or down
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Cue your dog to stay
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Place your food bowl approximately 5 to 10 ft. (1.5 – 3 m) in front of the dog, and return to heel position.
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The dog must remain stationary for at least 5 seconds, after which release your dog towards the bowl, using a verbal cue and/or signal.
Tip: Remember that your dog must move when given the release cue!
2. STAY UNDER DISTRACTION
Demonstrates impulse control in the presence of a distraction and without eye contact from the handler.
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Place your dog in a sit or down
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Cue your dog to stay
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Place your food bowl distraction on the ground a couple of feet behind the dog.
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Walk away approximately 10 ft. (3 m) forward without looking back at your dog and wait 15 seconds with your back to the dog.
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The dog must not change position or turn around during this time (looking back at the distraction is acceptable).
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Return to your dog and stand in heel position for 1–2 seconds. The exercise ends at the end of the 1-2 second count in heel position.
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Release your dog to eat the food.
Tips:
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You must remain facing away from your dog for the full 15 seconds; no looking back even as you walk away!
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The exercise does not end until you return to heel position and stand for 1 to 2 seconds — stay silent until you arrive back in position.
3. STAY THEN RECALL AWAY FROM DISTRACTION
Demonstrates self-control in the presence of and approaching distractions.
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Set your dog up in heel position
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Cue your dog to stay
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Place your food bowl 1-2 ft behind your dog
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Leave your dog and walk approximately 10 ft forward.
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Recall your dog to you and reward in front
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Bring your dog back into heel position and ask for attention
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Walk a few steps forward in heel back towards the distraction
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Cue a position change
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Release your dog to eat the food
4. STAY WHILE HANDLER MOVES EQUIPMENT
Demonstrates stationary control in the presence of moving distractions.
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Place your dog in a sit or down
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Cue your dog to stay
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Then arrange your training area with some portable items of equipment or furniture for 20 seconds or so
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Release your dog to end the exercise.
Have fun!