Separation in Training 🔀

🐾 Train technique and staying separately

A useful tip is to sometimes separate the two main parts of the exercise during training:

the technique of the Stand and the standing stay.

For example, you can have sessions where you mainly work on:

✅ standing firmly
✅ distance
✅ focus

And other sessions where you do several technical Stand repetitions in a row.

Of course, you should also practice the complete exercise together because that is how it will appear in the trial.

🎯 Why separate the two parts?

If you always combine everything, it becomes harder to show the dog what exactly is being rewarded.

Imagine doing three Stand from Movement repetitions.

Two are excellent and one is only average.

If you always walk away and only reward after returning, the dog may mainly learn:

“The reward comes when my handler returns.”

The quality of the actual Stand becomes less clear.

🏆 Reward the quality of the Stand

By training the technique separately, you can reward much more precisely.

A really excellent Stand can earn:

➡️ the ball
➡️ a big party
➡️ a very high-value reward

A Stand that is correct but only average can still receive:

➡️ positive feedback
➡️ a treat
➡️ a smaller reward

💡 Keep the dog feeling successful

Even a less impressive Stand is still a correct Stand.

So the goal is not to make the dog feel wrong, but to create different levels of reward depending on the quality.

This helps the dog understand which repetitions were especially good while keeping the exercise positive and motivating.

The clearer your rewards are, the easier it becomes to improve the technique without losing confidence or enthusiasm.