Teaching your dog the stay command

Think of all the things you can do with your dog once he stays put whenever you tell him to. Keep these thoughts handy – you may need some inspiration while teaching your dog the all-important “stay” command.

Dogs with separation anxiety or who are overly attached to their owners have a difficult time learning this command. You will enjoy success much sooner if your dog already knows his name and performs the “sit” command without needing to be rewarded.

Before beginning a training session to teach your dog the “stay” command, you will need a long leash, a quiet spot and plenty of treats. Your dog will be much more interested in the treats when he is hungry, so schedule training to take place just before mealtime.
Place the leash on your dog and bring him to the backyard. Keeping your dog to your left, tell him to “sit stay” and move a step away. If he sits still, quickly reward him. This should be anywhere between 1-2 seconds.

Withhold the treat, however, if he lifts his haunches to grab the treat. You don’t want your dog to think he is being rewarded for getting up. Once your dog stays put reliably for 1-2 seconds, add another step and hesitate before stepping back towards him to give him his treat.
Gradually add space between you and the dog, and hesitate a bit longer before returning to him and giving him his treat. Take it very slowly, setting him up to succeed.

Puppies especially have a hard time sitting still too long. If your dog is sitting still for a minute at the end of your first week of daily training, you are doing a great job! It can take months of daily training for your dog to stay still for 15 minutes or more, or to sit still when you are no longer in his line of sight. If your dog is one with some anxiety, this phase of training is likely to be more difficult.

Talk to your dog constantly in a soothing tone when he can’t see you. This increases the probability he won’t go looking for you. Your patience is the single most important factor that determines how well your dog learns the “stay” command. After he is staying put in the backyard, take him anyplace you may want him to perform the task and rehearse it with his leash on.

Alternate the treat reward with lavish praise to reduce the importance of the treat when he successfully performs the stay command for you. Once you dog knows the “sit-stay” command, it will be much easier to put his leash on, and to prevent him from rushing out the front door whenever it opens.

If he runs away while at the park and doesn’t come when you call him, “sit-stay” is a great back up to keep him safe from traffic or other hazards until you can reach him. .