Steadiness training for a gundog puppy: the sit and wait game

Why it matters

Steadiness starts long before a puppy ever sees a dummy. Teaching a young dog to sit and wait calmly for its release builds the self control it will need around game and other dogs later on.

Set up

• Have a handful of small, soft treats ready.
• Choose a spot with few distractions to start.

Run the drill

1. 1Ask the puppy to sit, then take one small step back.
2. 2Wait two or three seconds of stillness, then return and reward in position.
3. 3Release with a clear word such as 'ok' and let the puppy get up and move.

Make it harder

• Add more steps back before you return to reward.
• Extend the wait to ten or fifteen seconds.
• Practise with a toy or dummy placed nearby but out of reach.

Common mistakes

• Releasing the puppy by walking away first: always return to the puppy before releasing it, so it learns waiting pays.
• Making sessions too long: keep it to a handful of short reps and stop while the puppy still wants more.
• Rewarding a creeping puppy: reset calmly and reward only a still sit.