Just a quick video about holding positions. Sits, downs, stays and places all apply. You NEED a release word (ok, yes, free, done, break a clicker … banana – whatever you like). Reinforce the position with reward. Teach the dogs that it’s a good thing to hold position. Once your dog is doing well, you can build up time between reward to have them hold longer and longer. If they make a mistake in the beginning, just reset. When they are really making progress, add some mild distraction and increase as they increase their understanding.
And remember, if you are not working on competition obedience, it’s ok for your dog to slide into the down if they’ve been sitting for a little while. Down is a calmer and more comfortable position for your dog anyway, so allow them that bit of leeway.
Happy Training!
Smart Dogs Canine Training Milton 