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Step 1
Choose a command word and hand position. The word, "stay" and a flat hand showing your palm will work. Also choose a signal marker like, "uh uh" or "no" to let her know when she's not doing what you want.
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Step 2
Begin in the down position. Crouch down to his level or sit on the floor. Say, "stay" with your stop sign hand and reward if he doesn't pop up. When he does pop up, use your verbal signal marker. Train him with a treat back to the down position and begin again.
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Step 3
Repeat the training, gradually increasing the time between the stay and the treat. This will take time and a succession of short training sessions.
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Step 4
Introduce distractions such as looking around, standing up, taking steps away from him and finally walking out of the room. Use a release command such as "up" to signal when he can stop staying. Don't start using the release command until he can maintain the stay for five seconds or more.
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Step 5
Master the stay by placing a toy or a treat near the dog. Use the release signal when she can get the treat and give her additional praise or treats for staying until the release. Train her to keep her eyes on you and not on the toy.
