Obedience Training - STAY

The next step after you have introduced and practiced the SIT and DOWN commands is to add in the STAY command. Again the word you use can differ from STAY, you could use WAIT or HOLD or whatever you feel most comfortable saying, you just want to pick one word and stick with that word. Truthfully, neither SIT nor DOWN commands work as you would like without the STAY command. At this point he has probably been doing the sit or down and bouncing back up like there are springs in his behind and on his belly. This is a great reaction because you’re asking no more of him and you’re having a party of treat rewards and verbal praise once the command has been accomplished, so you should expect bouncing up for joy. Eventually with practice and repetition your dog will just know when you say SIT or DOWN that you mean for him to stay in that position until released. I like to toss in a hand signal (sort of like a STOP hand signal) for stay to emphasize the STAY command. Hand signals can be used for all commands but when first learning the obedience commands (for you and your dog) it is best to stay as simple as possible.

Training the STAY command can be difficult and frustrating. It is not in his instincts to stay in one position. He would much rather be next to you or in front of you or following you around, so don’t get frustrated if he can’t sit still for a second or two or if you cannot walk a few feet away before he pops up to be with his pack leader. I believe in LOTS of praise when releasing a SIT/STAY or DOWN/STAY in the early stages of training theses commands so he knows he did something really good, and he’ll want to repeat that behavior again. Also, for the best success you want to start out slowly with simple, short stays with you being close by or next to him. Then you build up to a longer duration of time, further distances away and added distractions. Eventually, with repetition and practice you’ll be able to work up to being out of sight during a long stay.

Training Your Dog to Stay – Methods and Steps

General Overview

Start off with your dog in a relatively calm state, not all revved up for a play session as it will just cause you frustration, and place your dog in the position you wish to start practicing his stay. It is easiest to pick the position he is most comfortable in, some dogs prefer a sitting position over lying down, some are the opposite, and some dogs can be comfortable no matter what position. Once he is in the position you have requested (and you have treated and praised him for getting in this position) you want to take your open hand, palm facing him, and firmly say the STAY command while moving your hand toward his nose stopping an inch or two from the nose. Calmly wait a few seconds then use a release word like OK and reward with enthusiasm.

Method 1 - Front Position

While standing in front of and facing your dog firmly tell your dog to SIT (I’ll use sit here but any position can be used), reward with only verbal praise and pets for achieving this behavior then immediately call the STAY command with the hand signal. Wait a second or two, then release with OK, praise, and treat. The food reward is a high level reward so you want him to have to work for it, therefore you can use the treat to lure him into the SIT but only give it to him once you have released him from the STAY. Also try to keep eye contact during that one to two second pause.

Example: "Bailey, SIT" – "Good Boy" (verbal praise only) "STAY" with the hand signal – wait 1 to 2 seconds – "OK" "Good Boy" food reward with excited verbal praise.

As soon as you say OK and reward, it is alright if he breaks position because what you have asked of him is now over. If at any time he breaks from the stay before you release him, give a disapproving verbal cue like "NO" or a sound like "aah-aah" and place him right back in the sit/stay and repeat the STAY command with the hand signal. Do not repeat the SIT command with rewards, because then you will be rewarding him only for the SIT and not the STAY. After repeating the 1 to 2 second SIT/STAY a few times add another second or two between the STAY and the release, "OK", and praise. When practicing to add more duration to the STAY command you can use eye contact to gauge your dog’s concentration on the exercise. If he is keeping eye contact you can try to hold the stay longer; if his eyes start to stray you can release and praise so you can regain his attention.

Once the pause has reached at least a 5 second stay while you are directly in front of him you want to try a step back while performing the STAY command. He may jump right up and follow you, naturally following the leader but you want to make a disappointed verbal cue then place him back in the sit and repeat the STAY command. Just take it slowly and have patience. What this exercise is doing is building an association between the verbal STAY command along with the hand signal and that act of staying in one spot.

This method is easiest practiced when it is feeding time or you are going to let him outside or you are having him get into the car. All of these areas are places that would be for a short period of time.

Method 2 - Heel Position

While standing next to your dog, both facing the same direction, firmly tell your dog to SIT (again I’ll use sit here but you can use any position), reward with only verbal praise and pets for achieving this behavior, then immediately call the STAY command while using your outmost hand to come around with the hand signal. Wait a second or two then release with OK, praise, and treat.

This method is done similarly to the first method but he is next to you. This method is easiest practiced on a walk before crossing the street. Either method can be simply accomplished in a familiar environment like in your home or backyard. A good idea would be to practice while you are cooking dinner or making lunch or watching television. Once he seems comfortable add more time, distance, and distraction to the familiar environment before you move to a park or shopping center.

Another good way to practice and add fun is to play a game of hide and seek with him. This is a lot of fun and all you have to do is start out by placing him in one room and you go into the next room and call him or release him. He will be very excited to find you, and you can give lots of treats, verbal, and physical rewards. This game also adds the COME command or recall, so you are accomplishing two commands and building a great association between the commands and his actions.