For the hundredth time this week, I stepped backward and heard a grunt. Or a yelp. Or a squeak.
Each of my three dogs has a different verbal response to having their tender paws momentarily crunched by my boot. “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!” My apology is meaningless to the hurt look on the offended animal’s face.
I also want to say “Move it, would you? You are so in my way! I really don’t need your help to open the refrigerator door/wipe off the table/pour coffee.”
Clients complain to me about their dogs being constantly underfoot. I can empathize. Despite exercise and treat-filled puzzle toys, most dogs spend their days following the people they love. Closely. Very, very closely.
Its always amusing to see the dog’s dilemma when the family is watching TV, and one person gets up for visit to the kitchen. The dog lays there, alert, considering the options. “Its so comfy here, but…what if something edible drops on the floor in there? Decisions, decisions.”
We explored this quirky dog behavior in The View From Down Below and that’s all well and good. Having a Bed, Spot or Place where your dog parks it, however, means nothing if the dog doesn’t comprehend the concept of Stay.
6 Steps to Teaching Your Dog to STAY
1. Ask your dog to SIT.
2. Show your dog the palm of your hand, like a stop sign, and say the word STAY once. DO NOT REPEAT THE WORD! Count to three.
3. Use a word like FREE or OKAY or AT EASE so your dog knows the excruciating STAY part is blessedly over.
4. Praise your brilliant dog with a high voice. Watch his ears perk up as he basks in the glow of his accomplishment.
5. Repeat the above, but take one step backward after you say STAY. Did that go well? If so, attempt #6.
6. Repeat, taking two steps backward.
If your dog gets up before you are ready, don’t get mad. You just went too fast for your dog.
Go back to the beginning, refresh everyone’s memory, and help your dog – and you – be successful.
Do this again tomorrow, and the next day, too.
Do this in different rooms of the house.
Now, every time you dare to take a bathroom break from American Idol, you can also preserve the integrity of your dog’s feet. Display your stop sign hand, invoke the magic word STAY, and enjoy a moment alone.
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