How do you teach the dogs to do the sequence commands at a distance? (sit, lie down, stand etc)

I can only get the lie down at a distance, then whenever I add another command my dog will run up to me and do it close.

Also, I need some tips on training foolproof stays for agility. She's pretty good at staying, but could be a lot better.

Thanks

you do it close to start with & gradually go back.

Are you using the dogs name ie "shep back"? because the use of the name can sometimes  confuse the dog, & make it think its doing a recall (though i do use a name on soome postions)

What you can do is /lots of ideas

throw a titbit over the dogs head,after every postion so hes constantly moving backward

Put Titbit pot/toy behind the Dog so his reward is coming from behind.

Of he Knows food refusal Put a titbit on the floor about a foot infront of of him & tell him to "leave it" then do the postions

****with thought & care*****dog on a long long long line, attaches to collar & through something on a wall & then back to you , then use a gentle pressure through the postions that hes not coming forward on.****Some dogs do not like a line & youve got to have good timing & a light touch.

With Stays, dont teach them anywhere near the time place you are doing above.
I find it good to return to the dog alot & titbit IN position & then leave again, so the dog is getting lots of postitve reinforcement for staying. In agility youll be able to keep commanding & look at the dog which will help!!!!!

Oh my Dobe can't do this either :D He can do a down from a sit at a distance and vice versa and he will also do a stand but if I try to do any command at all after the stand he'll run to me every time and do it directly in front of me. Throwing treats doesn't work for me as once he's standing I have no chance getting him to do anything at a distance (other than to run to me or stand still on the spot). We don't do competitive obedience, just for fun, but would be nice to get it right!

the reason for this is that dogs don't generalise.  When you say sit to them this means sit at your side or in front of you as that is how it has been taught.  Same with most of the other commands.

You need to teach your dog that sit means sit not sit here.  so you start from scratch use your commands and then gradually move away.  If the dog follows take it back and as for the sit again in that spot and try moving a little tiny bit before asking the next etc.

I think michelled was giving advice on the next step re keeping the dog in place once the dog knows distance control as the tendency is for the dog to move forward with each new command.

no not really,it was mainley about teaching the dog,not to come forward!!!!!you could always teach it moving towards the dog so the dog learns the backward movement.

couple more ideas..

Ideally, if you have a large platform that's high enough so the dog doesn't want to jump off you can use this. Put a piece of wide tape, like duct tape at the edge. Start close to the dog then keep taking steps backwards. When the dog can reliably do all the distance work on the platform move the tape to the ground and start again. Most dogs will stay behind the tape.

If you're not lucky enough to have a setup like that (I'm not)  you can use a physical barrier. If you have a fence or garden wall that you can start with you can use it to keep the dog from moving forward. I have a small wall in the back garden that I can use or I go in the children's play area in the park and leave the dogs on the other side of the fence. (as Brainless said dogs aren't very good at generalising so I do exercises in lots of different situations)

I use lots of things to proof stays but one good one is a really good treat. Pig ears are a rare treat around here so they work for me. I put the dog in a stay and place the treat on the ground in front of it. You have to be able to get to the treat before the dog if they break so make sure you can get your foot on it if needed. When the time is up the dog gets the big prize. Make sure you reward your dog while still in the stay position so she doesn't get her reward for moving. Lots of people do that - good dog, dog gets up and gets treat. My dogs get nowt unless they're exactly where I left them in the position I put them in.

and more ideas,
we have stairgate at bottom of stairs - daughter taught her Rott by leaving Wij at bottom and standing 2/3 steps up to give commands and gradually going further up, progressed to daughter at foot of stairs and dog on landing - if she 'crept' she had front and back legs on different levels and could manage sit but not stand and Def not down.
Also - dog in garden - daughter leaning out of bathroom window, if dog moved too close to house she couldn't see her mum -ensure back door is firmly closed !!!
Chris