sneaky pup

Sam is doing good with most his training, jumping is still and issue, but the biggest thing im haveing trouble with is him listening to ore long term commands

like stay

here is the example thats been the biggest thing.

out inlaws are allergic to dogs so out of consideration when they are over we crate him so that he doesnt get into their laps.

so lately ive been working on saying "cage" when I want him to go lay down, in the expectation that he go to his cage and stay there untill we call him back.

we have been doing this a bit over a month, the first week I led him to the cage after saying cage and shut the door but diddnt lock it.

now i just say cage and he goes. but the silly thing creeps out gradually when im not looking till suddenly there he is at my feet.

mostly ive been giving the command at meal time or when im feeding the baby, times when he cant be in our laps.

its never more then 30 min that hes in there, Id like to be able to leave the door open for him. I jsut cant get him to stop creeping out of the cage

I know its not a huge issue in the big picture of things but id like to be able to get this command down since the dog likes to get on the couch when im feeding the baby, wich isnt an option for him, and as i said for when ive got the in laws over


Eleni

I think until your pup learns that cage means cage and stay there until you give a release command, you should lock the door. You could practice without locking the door, but for those times that you NEED him to stay there, locking would probably be best.

I agree with Daisys Woner ... you'll need to lock it if he keeps creeping out of it. Once he realizes he can't get out of it... then start leaving it unlocked with the expectation that he will stay in.
He's testing you

I taught Cider to stay on her pillow. You need to work with being able to have the time to correct. To turn you back and test him and if he creeps out catch him before he has gone too far. It really is time consuming to teach though..

Fo the meantime I would just lock the door..