Solid Stays

[GRLC]

Just an update re our stays . Well we might be back on track looks as though somebody was trying to test his mum out to see how much he could get away with ! :D we still get the occasional foot lift and the chewing on the grass during a drop stay but no drops during the sits and no sits during the drops , I too was reading through the rules for stays and was shocked when i read that you can lose points for fidgeting , but was also told by my instructor that the judge would have to be pretty pedantic to fault you for minor fidgeting !

Have a competition this weekend so we'll definately see if the training has paid off . Will let you all know how i get on .

[Karelea Aussies]

I like the "steady feet" game that I picked up at Sue Hogben's seminar. It's not the easiest thing to describe - much easier to demonstrate...however...

Initially trained in the sit position. Ask dog to sit but otherwise keep mouth SHUT (hardest bit ;) ). Have one hand full of small pieces of yummy food. Slowly bring once piece of food with other hand towards dog's nose/mouth. Keep your eye on the dog's FEET. If the dog's feet remain perfectly still, move the food very rapidly into the dog's mouth (yum!) Make it harder. If the dog gets up or moves a paw, do NOT say a word (!!!!) - just fly the food rapidly away from the dog.

I too have one who will not stand for exam....so knew I had read this somewhere before....just confused with one bit.

Can someone please explain to me the relevance of flying the food away from the dog. I get the rest of it just not this part. Am I right in assuming the dog should not be allowed to have this food?

many thanks