This may seem like a silly question but... at what point do you start the clock on a stay? At grade one in the gun dog training labradors are asked to stay for 2 minutes. Our trainer has said we train to stay for 3 minutes then in the assessment two minutes is easy which makes sense. Until last week Rusty was managing a 45 second stay and we were charged with getting him to a minute by tomorrow (which we achieve this morning ) but then it occurred to me does it start when I say stay or from when I've retreated the required distance? If it's the latter then actually we're not at a minute after all...
Re: Timing a stay Hi Carole It is not a silly question at all. I will try and find a copy of the handbook. Off the top of my head I can't remember for certain but I think the stay starts from when you leave the dog. Either way, if you train for a little extra, then you will have some leeway.
Re: Timing a stay The assessors asked for clarification on this too. Basically we advised it is 2 minutes from when you leave the dog - but 'slow movers' who take ages to reach the marker may find their dog is asked to wait a little, to make up for it!!!
Re: Timing a stay Thanks Sam - we managed 1 minute 15 in class today very elegantly too - I was very proud - I know we've a way to go but we've come a long way too
Re: Timing a stay thanks Pippa ;D sadly the retrieve not going so well, Rusty just isn't very interested in the dummy. We tried him with a fur one today which he did pick up but he wants to play not come back so i've got my work cut out this week!
