Startline stays are a very useful and important skill in agility, there are also useful components to a stay for everyday life and other dog sports.
Being able to lead out and get into the best position is ideal for your agility team, especially as courses become bigger and with faster lines for the dog.
One of the most important things to start with is knowing exactly what you want your Startline stay to look like so that you are able to keep proper criteria for your dog. What position will my dog be in? Will I use a verbal cue only or both physical and verbal cues?
Through your training and trialing you will want to maintain this criteria. If your dog breaks criteria they are given the chance to try again or maybe you will even out them away to try again later. Dogs thrive in routine and do their best when what is expected of them is predictable and maintained the same every time.
Let’s get training!
Now that you know what your start line stay will look like you can start your training. First we want to teach our dogs the position we want from them, which is a sit, down or stand. Use your treats to lure the dog into position, when they get into the desired position you will make or click and release the treat. Before your dog gets up or moves from the position, cue your dog to release with the designated release cue. I like to use a treat toss to reward my dog after the release. Now you can start to fade the treat lure and add the verbal cue right before you want them to perform the behavior.
Now start to add duration to your stay by waiting a second before the release, continue to add seconds before the release cue.
Now you can start to add your distractions such as you moving your body, starting with small movements and working up to bigger movements or even moving away. Then you can work on incorporating outside distractions into the routine. Just remember these few things and you will have great success!
Always remember to be consistent in your training and criteria.
Always release your dog with the verbal cue.
Always reward in the position you want.
Add distractions slowly from low to high level of distraction.
Always have fun!
Happy Training!
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