photo ButcherandBuschelBanner_zps60b017ff.jpg

Friday, January 6, 2012

Weekly Wag #2:
Stay and Come to Get in Shape

by Carrie Boyko, CEB
© Carrie Boyko
Sit. Stay.

Today's Weekly Wag is perfect for a beautiful afternoon. Maybe you'll get lucky this weekend, as I know I will; we're expecting gorgeous weather. You'll be giving Fido a bit of practice in his Stay and Come command, as well as burning some calories yourself. Many of us are on that path in January every year, after all the great food we ate during the holidays.


This is a great activity to engage your dog for 15 minutes each day. He'll get better and better at Come and Stay, while both of you will enjoy some fun together. Here's the game:

© Carrie Boyko
Come, Tanner!

  1. Pick a flat, safe place for running, away from distractions and other animals, if possible.
  2. Ask Fido to Sit/Stay.
  3. Sprint to the far end of your established course. If Fido follows you, leash him and take him back to the beginning, without making any commotion about his breaking his Stay. Start again, but walk away from Fido this time. Build up his Stay until he will allow you to run without chasing you down.
  4. When you reach the other end of your course, turn and praise Fido if he completed his Stay. Then call him to you with a very cheerful, enthusiastic "Come"! Clap your hands and encourage him to hurry to you. Praise any effort in the right direction.
  5. When Fido can "Come" as you have requested, ask him to Sit/Stay again. This is sort of like ping pong or a tag game--you run, then he runs.
  6. Play as long as both of you are enjoying the game, but keep it very short at first.
  7. End on a high note and enjoy something pleasurable to your dog--a belly rub, snuggle, or whatever really gets him into the moment.

Weekly Wag ButtonIf you'd like to follow the Weekly Wag to gain a better bond with your dog, while helping him enjoy some mental and physical exercises and a more solid handle on his training, you can sign up at the first Weekly Wag post. Participants who check in with comments about their experience will be eligible for quarterly drawings throughout 2012, starting at the end of March. Watch for our Weekly Wag each Saturday, and join in the fun.

Happy tails!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop sponsored by Two Little Cavaliers, Life with Dogs and Confessions of the Plume. You may link up here, but I do suggest you check their sites to read their rules. Enjoy the hop!



9 comments:



Felissa Hadas said...

Great tips for sit stay. Indiana will Davinia tends to get distracted. Thanks for linking up .

Felissa
http://twolittlecavaliers.com



bichonpawz said...

Terrific Game! I am always looking for something to keep Chloe occupied! LadyBug would be quite happy to just follow me around all day...Chloe needs something STIMULATING or she actually gets bored!! Thanks for the tips!
Jeanne
http://bermudabluez.blogspot.com



Crystal Gibson said...

Awesome tips! Stopping by from the Pet Blogger Saturday Hop. Great post!



Carrie, with Tanner and Oliver said...

@Crystal G: I'm glad you enjoyed them. I hope you will visit the first Weekly Wag; it was great fun!



When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet said...

Good tips, thanks! Stay can be difficult for pups!



Kolchak Puggle said...

I think we did this at K9 Kamp. It's one of Koly & my favourite workout/training exercises. I usually do lunges, squats, jumping jacks etc. while he runs toward me, just to kick it up a notch for me.



Sara said...

Will try this.
Popping over from the Pet Blogger Hop.
Best wishes from the UK
Sara, Tillie & Raven



Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner said...

Gretel and Chester are pretty good with their come but not when they are distracted. I definitely need to work on it. Maybe we will work on it in our fenced yard. They can't be let of leash in public or they will run (Dachshunds). However, the back yard won't improve their come when there are distractions around. OK...maybe an off-leash dog park :)



Shelley P said...

I was able to try this exercise this weekend because we had some mild dry weather. I tried it with Kandy who is great at her commands and she really enjoyed it : ) I also tried it with Ella who gets distracted easily and is still learning her commands. Ella had lots of fun LOL not staying put and running around LOL. She is our wild child : ) so needs more practice. Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed this exercise and will continue to use it with the dogs!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 
Blog Design by A Mommy's Blog Design (© Copyright 2011)
Header Banner created by Bill Henderson Design