The “stand” cue has two uses:
- Tell the dog to get up from a “sit” or “down” position
- Have the dog stand still in one place, usually in conjunction with “stay”
It’s pretty easy to teach “stand” from a “sit” position using your hand as a target. To get started, pinch your fingers together on a treat. Glide your hand over the dog’s head from back to front, continuing until the dog gets up in order to keep following your hand. The minute he’s standing, stop moving your hand and mark the standing position by clicking or saying “yes.” Give a treat.
That’s kindergarten. Continue by adding the verbal cue “stand.” Then use the hand motion and verbal cue without a treat in your hand—but of course mark and treat when the dog is standing.
After you teach the dog to stand from a “sit” position, you can advance to teach “stand” while walking, so that it basically means “freeze” or “stand still.”
In that case, you issue a “stay” right after “stand”: Stand-stay. This is a really useful behavior when you and your dog are out for a walk. In the neighborhood, you might use it at street corners: Stand-stay at the curb, and I’ll tell you when it’s safe to cross. When you’re adventuring off-lead, stand-stay gives you a chance to catch up with your dog and see what’s ahead before you go any further.
