A Tale of Two Stays

This is a story about two different dogs.  Both dogs were taught how to stay.  The first dog started her training as a young puppy.  She was cued to stay, and rewarded after very short times until she gradually worked up to longer times.  

She practiced her stays in a variety of locations, around the house, in the yard and away from home.  She practiced her stays around distractions - stationary toys, toys thrown in the air and at training class.

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Dog #1

​This first dog developed an excellent ability to stay.  She could hold a down stay for an hour in the middle of the room while a class went on around her.  She very, very, rarely ever got up before being given the cue that told her she was done.

The second dog was different than the first dog.  If you could see a thought bubble over the head of the first dog, it would have said "I'm doing my JOB" (she took her job quite seriously).  The thought bubble over the head of the second dog, however, would have said "Stays are Stupid".  She would rather have been moving, doing, performing.

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