Sit-Stay-Relax Exercises
Lynne M. Seibert DVM, MS, PhD, DACVB
Practice relaxation exercises regularly
- Use tiny, highly desirable food treats
- Focus on getting your dog to relax (with ears perked forward while sitting)
- The ultimate goal of the exercises is relaxation, not obedience
- Training sessions should be short (5-15 minutes), fun, and end on a positive note
Teach “stay” which means to stay sitting until release word ‘OK’ is given
- Reward him for staying for gradually longer periods of time
- Say “OK” (the release word) while the ears are perked forward, drop your hand containing the treat, give the praise word, and allow him to step forward and take the treat
Eventually add distracters into the relaxation exercises
- Light knocking
- Walking to the door and back
- Pretending to answer the door
- Talking to an imaginary person
- Breaking eye contact
- Walking around the dog in a semi-circle
- Walking just out of view