How To Teach The Stand For Examination

Ok here is how I was trained by a old AKC obedience judge. This is teaching the stand for examination, for AKC Obedience in novice. You have the dog on the left side of you in a sit. You then turn to face the dogs right side, firmly plant your feet. This is a signal to your dog of what you want them to do next. You take your right hand and grab the dogs collar pulling them forward into a standing position, you say the dogs name, then tell them to stand! At the same time you pull the dog forward with your right hand. With your left hand and arm you put it under the dog's pelvic area to hold it in place to keep the dog standing it goes completely under the dog to the left side where your hand will be hugging its side. If your dog tries to sit, you again tell it to stand and lifting the dog back into the stand position with your left arm. You wait a few seconds then release the dog, giving tons of praise, and treats. Make a big deal out of the dog standing. After the dog has this down fairly well, you then will turn facing the same way the dog is facing. Look down at your dogs feet placement if they seem way out of position calmly place the dogs feet where they seem comfortable. Now tell the dog to stay with a firm voice, and a hand in open position coming right in the dogs face. Take a step then face your dog. Wait a few seconds then return to your dog to his right side. Now if he moves at all or moves his feet you will firmly grab that foot he moved, Tell him to NO stay! Do not allow him to move an inch at all. After he is doing the stand and stay well, you can now go around your dog like you would in a sit or down stay, by going around his left hip around his hind end onto his right side. Always wait a few seconds before you release the dog, I personally like to walk my dog into a heel from the stand position, I then release them on the heel. After you have your dog doing this really well and is comfortable on his time at least 30 seconds. I now add the judge, first use some one he is use to. Have them be on your dogs left side toward a front angle like in the real shows. Now have the person hold a treat, so when they let the dog sniff the hand he is given a treat. Have the judge touch the head, shoulders and hips and return back to his position. The judge then says "return to you dog". Where you will go to the dogs left side, around his hip and hind end back to the dogs right side, standing still until the judge release the dog. You then heel your dog for a few steps I generally take about 6 to 7 steps then I release my dog. That is the exercise for the stand for examination. Now some pointers only use the treat method at first, then stop using it. I like to use it when I first use a new judge, Also watch your dog like a hawk so if he moves just a tiny bit, and then your on him right way. You must use as many different people as you can if your dog is weary of people with hats use those type of people if he does not like men use lots of men. I go to parking lots, shopping centers, to proof my dogs for this, This exercise is also really good for when your dog is being brushed out, bathed, or Vet examination. I hope I helped you with this.

This is what I do, and it seems to work nicely and the dogs respond well.

But remember that placing the hand under the belly to help hold the dog, can be frighten a bit, esp. since this is their most vulnerable stop for predators. So go easy on placing your left hand under their belly be soft and smooth about it.But remember that placing the hand under the belly to help hold the dog, can be frighten a bit, esp. since this is their most vulnerable stop for predators. So go easy on placing your left hand under their belly be soft and smooth about it.

MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE LIKE A GSD.