NOTE: STAYS HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY REMOVED
FROM ALL CLASS LEVELS FROM JANUARY 2022
What is a Stay? - your dog to keep still in a sit and a lie down:
In all class levels: The short answer is training the dog to keep still in a sit position until (when told) released by you and then to keep still in a down position until (when told) released by you.
All this in a public area, in a marked out stay ring area (a different ring to the one you have done the other exercises in) with all the other dogs from your class in the stay ring at the same time.
The long answer is set out below ...
All this in a public area, in a marked out stay ring area (a different ring to the one you have done the other exercises in) with all the other dogs from your class in the stay ring at the same time.
The long answer is set out below ...
Stays usually take place in a large separate ring area dedicated to all the class stays.
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Find the stay ring at the beginning of the day
- Get to the stay ring with your dog at least 5 minutes before your class is scheduled to start.
- Do not enter the stay ring until you are instructed to do so by an official at the stay ring.
- Double check you are in the right class and part.
- Leave toys and treats well out of sight of the stay ring
- If you miss your stays then you are under Kennel Club rules assumed to have withdrawn from competition in the class. However if you miss the stays by 'accident' then you may be allowed (with permission of judge) to do a 'training round' instead of a competitive round.
Stay rings are usually large areas with posts and rope defining it.
There is a separate area for male and female dogs.
Stay rings are not usually enclosed by any type of barrier or fencing.
Very occasionally there might be mesh fencing around a stay ring - but this is rare.
There is a separate area for male and female dogs.
Stay rings are not usually enclosed by any type of barrier or fencing.
Very occasionally there might be mesh fencing around a stay ring - but this is rare.
What to Expect in the Stay Ring:
The Chief Stay Steward is in command of the stay ring.
The Chief Stay Steward is in command of the stay ring.
- You cannot talk to, command or touch your dog after 'Last Command' instruction.
- Your dog needs to maintain a constant sit or down position during the whole stay time. Any movement from that position may lose points.
- All the dogs competing in your class will be in the stay ring the same time as you are, so you could have anything from 20 to 60 dogs in one ring at the same time!
- The stay ring is split into two separate areas, one for males (dogs) and one for females (bitches) - there is usually a clear notice saying which side is which - it is your responsibility to ensure you are in the correct side for your dog. If you are competing with two different sex dogs and happen to be in the same class with both of them - speak to the Chief Stay Steward for instructions on where to position your dogs.
- Once you have been called into the stay ring, move to a place around the edge of the ring, try to make sure you leave a good space between your dog and the ones next to it (if space allows).
- Unless you specifically want to - you do not need to have your dog doing a stay until the Chief Stay Steward announces it, so your dog can mill around you, or you can cuddle, stroke your dog whilst waiting for everyone to come into the ring and take their place. However, do not let your dog interfere with or play with another dog near you whilst waiting.
- A Stay Steward will approach you and ask for your ring number (this number must be clearly displayed on your clothing), you can either tell them or show them your number - they will write this down on their stay score sheet. They also sometimes ask the breed of your dog, again give them this information for their score sheet.
- In the classes with 'in sight' stays you may be informed by the Chief Stay Steward if you can face the dog, or if you have to be side onto the dog, or with your back to your dog when you have left it - it can sometimes be your choice.
- It is 'usual' to do the Sit position and then the Down position during stays, but this is totally up to the judge and you may find you need to do the down first.
Once everyone's number has been taken then it is likely that the exercise will begin.
Instructions you will then hear may be something like:
The Chief Stay Steward will be timing the stay. At the appropriate time you may then hear something like:
The commands for the next stay position are exactly the same as per above (without the numbers taken bit!).
Once the second stay position had been completed, after 'Exercise Complete' instruction, then again, praise, release your dog from the position.
Instructions you will then hear may be something like:
- 'Has Everyone Had Their Number Taken?' - always speak up if no one has taken note of your ring number.
- 'Set your dog up for the X minute Sit (or Down) Stay' (see 'Class Levels' page for length of stay per class)
- 'Handlers, Are you ready?' - always speak up if you are not ready to start (ie if your dog has moved, or you have not finished getting the dog to stay) - clearly/loudly say 'No, not ready' and re-position or prepare your dog again - clearly/loudly tell the Chief Stay Steward when you are ready.
- '3, 2, 1 Last Command ... pause ... Leave Your Dogs'
- During the stay you will hear stay stewards shout out 'time' - the Chief Stay Steward will reply stating a time .. this is because they have seen a dog move from its position, they will note the time this happened under the dogs ring number on their score sheet.
The Chief Stay Steward will be timing the stay. At the appropriate time you may then hear something like:
- 'Handlers, return to your dogs, do not talk to or touch them'
- 'Exercise Complete'
The commands for the next stay position are exactly the same as per above (without the numbers taken bit!).
Once the second stay position had been completed, after 'Exercise Complete' instruction, then again, praise, release your dog from the position.
- Once both stays are completed it is always very wise to approach the stay steward who took your ring number and to check with them that your dog has not lost any points during the stay exercises. Personally I always look at the sheet and ensure there is no mark against my dogs number on the sheet - this avoids any possible confusion or problems later in the day when it would be almost impossible to put right any queries from the stay ring.
What If My Dog Moves During Any Part of The Stay? ..
If your dog moves during either of the stay positions, then that will incur penalty points.
You cannot command or move towards your dog without incurring lost points.
You cannot command or move towards your dog without incurring lost points.
- However .. if you see your dog move towards another dog, either to play or be hostile, PLEASE QUIETLY GO & STOP YOUR DOG BY HOLDING IT STILL OR PREFERABLY COMPLETELY REMOVING IT FROM THE STAY AREA - do not shout out or do anything to worry any other dog in the ring - just be quiet, calm and effective in stopping your dog ruining another dogs chances in the class.
- A dog 'interfering' with another can seriously affect the interfered with dogs future confidence in stays and so please do not allow it. Your dog will have lost most of its points anyway for moving so you will not lose more points for stopping it.
What You Might Lose Points for During the Stay Tests ..
All judges marks are 'graduated' according to the severity of the fault and according to the time of the fault (the earlier in the stay the higher the marks lost).
The stay marks will be added to your class ring work marks.
During the sit or down stays you may lose marks if your dog:
The stay marks will be added to your class ring work marks.
During the sit or down stays you may lose marks if your dog:
- Follows you when you leave it
- Moves into another position.
- 'Re-positions' itself, causing a lift of its body (shows 'daylight')
- Rolls around
- Barks or Whines during the stay
- Crawls forward or even sideways
- Interferes with another dog
- Leaves the ring
- Commands or signals are used after the 'Leave your Dog' instruction
- Commands or signals are used when handler is behind stay stewards
- Commands or signals are used when handler is returning to their dog
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