How to Train a Dog To Stay

A dog that will respond immediately to the "stay" command is a dog that is easy to live with. Furthermore this could even save it's life some day.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a dog
• a leash and collar
• treats
• liberal praise

1. It is important when you are training that you pick an optimium place and time. Your dog should be moderately hungry and the place you are training should be free from distractions. Get your dog leashed.

2. Put the dog on a sit or a stand command.

3. Place your hand directly in front of the dogs face, with the palm of your hand facing the dog and firmly command "stay!"

4. In your other hand, hold the leash slightly taut, ready to correct the dog if he should break the stay.

5. Remove your hand away from the dog's face and wait a few seconds, then give the dog a treat and/or praise for staying.

6. If the dog should "break the stay" before you have praised him, immediately place him physically back into the position, and repeat the "stay" command.

7. Then release the dog with the words "ok!" and give verbal praise. The BIGGEST MISTAKE people make in training the stay is that they do not release the dog , they simply continue repeating "stay" and the dog makes no "connection" to the idea of remaining in one place.

8. Repeat this sequence up to five times, then stop completely and later in the day practice this again.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that EVERY "stay" command should be accompanied with a "release" command.
• If you are not wanting the dog to "stay" until you release him, then use the word "wait" or "stop" instead.
• ONLY repeat the word "stay" if the dog breaks his stay and you need to physically return him to the position.
• As mentioned earlier, the "STAY" can only be learned by the dog when it is accompanied with the release command. Tell the dog to "STAY" once, then release the dog after he has remained in the one position long enough to meet the standard you have previously set (amount of time for that day.)
• NEVER give the "stay" command if you are not planning to give the release also. In other words, if you only want the dog to "wait" such as when you are leaving the house and he is standing at the door when you are trying to leave, then use the word "wait" or tell him "I'll be right back". It is a common mistake to tell the dog to "stay" when you will not be able to release the dog from the stay and therefore it is often a behavior that the dog just never manages to accomplish, since you have trained him wrong.

Resources

• dog training books
• dog training articles
• large dog training

[Thims]

on 9/21/2008 Great article. Informative steps!

[HowToDating]

on 12/20/2007 Awesome, thanks for writing

[SharonW]

on 12/15/2007 Easy to follow instructions. Thanks for the really good article.

[Amroch]

on 12/15/2007 Very interesting. And think very correct if you are trying to train your dog to "stay".

[showpup]

on 12/14/2007 Great article. Fabulous instruction on teaching your dog to stay. 5 stars all the way!