Ask The Dog Trainer: The five Ds of dog training

I am very frustrated with my dog Charlie and need some help teaching him how to “stay.” I just want him to remain on his dog bed when I have friends coming over.

-Roger

Dear Roger,

Stay is a deceptively simple concept that can be challenging to make ironclad when life intercedes. Humans can learn through explanation, but your dog learns best through demonstration. Therefore, it is helpful to thoroughly demonstrate to Charlie what we refer to as “The Five Ds of Dog Training.”

The first “D” is Distance. Distance has to do with how far back you move while facing your dog. Start right in front of Charlie and say “stay.” Step backward a single step, then immediately return in front of him and reward. Repeat this five times. If Charlie is successful, then step backward two steps, returning immediately and rewarding. Repeat at the distance of two steps until you have had five successes. If you have three failures in a row, then return to one step of distance. After five successes in a row, progress onto two and then three steps and so on.

The second “D” is Duration. Duration has to do with how long you are remaining away from Charlie. Just like when practicing for Distance, you want to start back in front of Charlie, facing him. Say “stay,” pause and reward. Repeat five times, then, if successful, extend the time so that he is remaining stationary for two seconds. Then three, four, and so on. As with Distance, remember that five successes in a row means you can progress, while three failures in a row means you need to review at a shorter duration.

The third “D” is Direction. To start working on Direction, face Charlie, say “stay” and pivot on your heel in a close circle. When you are facing him, reward and repeat. If Charlie gets up the moment your hips are facing away, break down the motion so that you begin by facing a quarter away, then halfway, then three thirds and finally a full turn to face him.

The fourth “D” is Demeanor. Perhaps you just returned from a romp outside and Charlie is too excited to sit still. Demeanor is easy to practice by starting very calm and practicing your “stay” command, then advancing in difficulty slowly and methodically. Work on “stay” right before or after your walks, with the television blaring or with your family in the room.

The fifth and final “D” is Distraction. When Distractions occur, all the other D’s take a backseat. Distractions are difficult to control. Again, because your dog learns best through demonstration, not explanation, it’s far more effective training to focus on helping him succeed through the distraction rather than continuing to focus on your other D’s. For example, you may be working on Duration, or focusing on your Distance, but if another dog appears or your friend walks over to say hi, you need to pause what you are doing and work on Distractions. This means closing the distance between you and your dog, rewarding more frequently for shorter durations and helping him succeed.

You mentioned that Charlie has difficulty remaining in a “stay” when you have friends at the door. Let’s break down all of the Five D’s in that scenario and help you develop a training plan so Charlie can more clearly understand what you are asking of him.

The first D of Distance is easy to work on. Ask him to “stay” and walk back one step toward your door while facing him. Return, repeat five times, then walk back two steps, progressing until you are able to reach your door and he remains in a “stay.”

Next for Duration. Build the time apart from Charlie until he remains stationary while you walk calmly to the door, unlock and open it, pause, step aside to allow your imaginary guests to enter, then close the door and return to his side.

Generally, it’s easier to face your guests instead of your dog, so Direction is the next piece of the puzzle to practice. Work with Charlie until you can ask him to “stay,” turn and face the door, let your guests inside and turn back to face him at his dog bed.

Demeanor and Distractions are always tricky final challenges to overcome. Try having someone ring the doorbell and very, very calmly asking Charlie to stay. Stroll slowly to the door and invite your guests to enter without any enthusiasm or cheer. Gradually increase your excitement. If you are successful at this stage, then invite very, very calm friends over and instruct them to ignore Charlie completely until you have released him from his “stay.” Eventually you ask your more energetic friends and family to ring the doorbell and even knock rapidly on the door. These are all examples of how your Demeanor and Distractions can affect Charlie’s ability to withhold a “stay.”

Some general notes throughout this process; ask yourself, are you training or testing Charlie when friends drop by unannounced? Are you using rewards (treats, pets or verbal) that Charlie responds to? Are you getting five successes then advancing in difficulty? Are you reviewing once you see three failures? Are you the only one enforcing the “stay” while other members of your household do not?

Lastly, remember that even though this all sounds very complicated, all you are really doing is separating out the components of the “stay” and focusing on each one until Charlie understands what you are asking of him. As my husband says, “how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Kendall and Chandler Brown are owners of Custom K-9 Service Dogs, a dog training business serving Minden/Gardnerville, Carson and Reno. For information go to customk9servicedogs.com or email customk9servicedogs@gmail.com.