Dog Obedience Training for the Stay Command
A very helpful command used to deter the dog from chasing or following you or another moving object. The dog stay command also works well when learning other obedience commands. For instance when training the "come" command, use the stay command to provide you time to put distance between you and your dog.
With all commands you must train the dog slowly. Often this command is trained right from the sit command and can use treats or food to practice the dogs level of staying put.
Rules To Remember When Training Your Dog to Stay
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Very important to take your time with this one. The act of staying will increase duration as time goes by.
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Reward the dog when the correctly obey the command. At first rewards may only be for a couple seconds of staying. As you train, the treats should only be awarded when the dog stays for longer periods of time.
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Do not reward your dog if they fail to stay. Even if the dog stays for 10 seconds. If the dog moves then you reward them, they will associate moving from their spot and the stay command with reward.
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Remember to use the cue word as often as possible. I use the word stay but you could also use the word "hold" or "stop". Repeat the cue word every couple seconds at first then gradually limit the cue words to only once per stay session.
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Like in all training, enjoy the time you spend with your dog.
The Technique to Training Your Dog to Stay
1 - Start training in small increments. Face your dog and take a step backwards. Naturally the dog will follow you. This is fine just do not reward the dog. Now have the dog sit. after a few seconds if the dog remains sitting, praise and reward the dog. A good technique to do here is add in a gesture with your hands. Put one of your hands up palm facing the dog's face. Continue to do this extending the time a few seconds until you reach about 10 seconds. Now it is time to add the cue word.
2 - Now you can continue to have the dog sit or stand. Like in the first step start in small increments. Hold your hand up, say the cue word and after a couple seconds reward the dog if they do not move. Repeat this step for awhile and always increase the time the dog stays before rewarding them. If they move decrease the time the dog is required to stay and continue.
3 - Once the dog understands stay by using a hand gesture and the cue word you can either start training to omit the hand gesture or leave it in. The choice is up to you. At this point it would be a good time to introduce some mild distractions. Command your dog to stay then take a few steps back and place one of the dog toys or a treat on the floor. Keep using the stay command and hand gesture. Wait a few seconds, if the dog did not move walk over to the dog and reward them. Do not reward the dog by saying "come over here" then handing them a treat. This will confuse the dog's understanding of the stay command. Keep extending the time and distance until you feel comfortable the dog understands it. |
If you are experiencing difficulties with the dog not staying put, you may need to use a second person to physically hold the dog. Use the cue word and hand gestures while the dog is restrained. After a few seconds walk over to the dog and praise them after some time. Continue to extend the time and if the dog begins to calm down, begin releasing the dog.
Most Common Dog Obedience Commands
Click on each of the following commands for detail training on each one.
