[gemy]

Two other things, you need to have a Release command. Most especially after the stay command. I use simply Release. Don't use Okay because we use it so often in everyday language.

So you reward for a good stay, and if the exercise of stay is over you say Release. That is an important second step, that sometimes I do forget.

ON another note, you can practice the sit stay or stand stay with you seated in a chair. Not always do you need to be standing. The idea here is to train your dog that no matter what position you are in, seated, standing, laying down, the commands any command needs to be obeyed. Seated also makes it easier on you to "correct". Oh me aching back with a small dog...lol..lol...

You can mix up your practice obedience sessions. From the home, if you have a backyard, that would be the next logical place to practice obedience commands. Then a local park - hopefully in slow times not too many folks. Pet stores especially when they are relatively deserted.

No backyard?, then your driveway, or your parking lot. You get the drift, I hope. It is staging as well as you are able to different environments with increasing levels of distraction.

When you take your dog for a walk, intersperse throughout the walk, some obedience commands, some play time, have your puppy walk on different surfaces, and heights. Go on and jump with him over that log. Or ask him to. walk along that log.

You can also get a long lead which is very usefull for the recall command, and the long distance stay command(when you get there). I use a fanny pack that I place a toy or two in, and a long lead, and their treats.

You just stick with it. It is such a joy and there becomes an incredible bond created between you and your boy with what I call an interactive walk.

In closing never forget to play! I remember at my first competitive obedience trial, I was watching this woman with her Teruven, they heeled together as if they were one unit. Amazing to watch. Afterwards I came up to her and asked how she did this with her dog? (My dog hated to heel, and we worked and worked to the ninth degree on this). She responded, You think of heeling as dancing!. I dance with my dog.
That has always stuck with me....