Stand for Exam
After performing figure eights, the next exercise is stand for exam. This is a version of stand/stay, where you stand your rottweiler in heel position, remove his leash, and give him a stay command. You then walk six feet in front of your dog and turn around. The judge walks over and allows your dog to sniff her hand and then touches your rottweiler on the top of the head, on the back, and on the hindquarters. Your rottie must not break his stay or move even a paw while in stay. The judge instructs you to return to your dog, and then the exercise is complete.
When you put your rottie in stay and then walk away, always step with the right foot forward. Dogs see the left leg movement before the right leg moves, so if the right leg moves first, you've already taken a step before the dog sees it. Also, it becomes another signal to your dog that he is to stay where he is.
Training Stand/Stay
Training for stand/stay is a little more difficult. Your rottweiler should have learned sit/stay and down/stay through normal obedience training before tackling this command. Stand your rottie at heel position with a leash on, and give the “Stand” command. Then give him the “Stay” command. Now, walk forward (right foot first!) and turn around directly in front of him. If he breaks his stay to follow you, tell him, “No! Stand. Stay,” and put him back in his stand. Stretch out your hand with a long sweeping motion and put your hand in front of his nose as though you are telling him to stop.
This may take several times to get the stand/stay right. Once your rottie stands, return to heel position, release him with “Okay” and praise him. Practice this several times until he is comfortable holding a stand/stay at a close distance.
Training for the Examination
Next, teach your rottie to accept touching from strangers. If you haven't already socialized your rottie, do so now. Have a few friends approach your rottweiler slowly and allow him to sniff their hands. Then have them lightly touch your rottweiler on the head, back, and hindquarters. You may need to distract your rottweiler by giving him a treat as they touch him. Your dog will be so occupied with eating the treat that he won't be nervous that someone is touching him. Eventually, he'll associate the exercise with a good thing — getting a treat — and will not be nervous when a stranger touches him.
A complex command is taught by breaking it into a series of simple commands. For example, a dog that hasn't learned stay won't usually stay at a distance because he isn't comfortable with the stay command close up. Once you teach him stay, you add complexity by either increasing the time he must hold his stay or the distance.
Lengthen the Distance
Next, you'll need to increase your distance between yourself and your rottweiler. Continue to perform the same exercise, only one or two feet away. As your rottweiler becomes more reliable, you may practice without a leash. Again, build up the distance slowly. If, at any time, your rottie becomes nervous or starts breaking his stays, drop back to a previous distance where he didn't break his stay and practice with that for a while before increasing the distance again.
