Stay

The "stay" command is very complicated.
There are two hand signals and a foot signal as well as, of course, your voice command. It changes depending on whether you are at the side or "heel" position, or at a distance in front of him, or whether you are leaving his side with him remaining behind, or if you are returning toward him.

Don't worry about anything other than the hand signal from the side at this point. Leaving your dog on the stay command is covered later. It's simple, but get used to the basics first. Stay from the side is a sweeping motion with your left hand coming forward, high from above your elbow, fingers together, as if to touch the tip of your middle finger to the top of your dogs nose, being careful to keep your hand from breaking into your dogs vision directly over his head.

Follow through by bringing your hand back up and sweeping it around toward your chest, placing your left wrist at your dogs right shoulder, as you place your palm on his breast bone, as you pat him once or twice, and continue into the "sit straight" (or "stand straight" or "down straight") command. .