Overview
Foundation Work
Clicker Basics
Lesson 1: Watch Me
Lesson 2: Sit
Lesson 3: Stay
Lesson 4: Come
Problem Solving

Lesson #3: "Stay"

"Stay" means do not change your position until I release you.

Dog PawTeach a Release Word

The release means you are done now. You are allowed to move around. A common release word is "Okay". You can any word you choose, as long as you are consistent. Other examples are "Break", "Release", "Free" or "All Done".

To teach the release, have your dog sit. Reward her with a treat and then tell her "Break!" Back away and lift your hands in the air. She should follow you. When she does, praise her with "Good dog!" If she hesitates, try patting your hands on your legs to coax her forward. After the release, let her move around and relax for a few seconds before asking her to do something else.

Once your dog understands the release, it's time to work on the formal Stay. There are three parts to teaching a stay: duration, distance and distractions. In order to be successful, it is best to concentrate on one component at a time.

Dog PawWork on Duration

Duration refers to time. This is the first component to focus on when teaching a stay. Slowly increase your time requirement, while staying close to your dog in a distraction-free environment.

  1. Have your dog sit or lie down.
  2. Stand right in front of her, say "Stay" and show her the hand signal for stay. It's the same hand signal a police officer uses to stop traffic.
  3. Take one step back.
  4. If she stays for even a second, give her a treat and say "Break" to release her. Make sure that she actually moves after the release.
  5. If she breaks before the release, say "Too bad" or "Oops" and start over.

Wait until your dog has a steady stay for 10 seconds before you work on distance and distractions. Increase your duration requirement by seconds, making it easy for your dog to succeed. Don't push her too fast. Each failure is "un-training" rather than training.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Some dogs have trouble understanding the concept of stay and will try to follow you. You may need to begin with a smaller movement by leaving your feet in place and turning your head and shoulders to the side.

STRETCH GOAL

Long stays are a great way to teach your dog impulse control. In the evening when your dog is relaxed and you are reading or watching TV, work on long stays up to 15, or even 30 minutes. You want your dog to continue to pay attention to you. Reward her with a treat or praise every few minutes. After the allotted time, release her, but no more treats. The rewards should come during the stay.

Dog PawWork on Distance

When your dog can hold a stay for 10 seconds, begin working on distance. At first, you should lower your duration requirement.

  1. Take two steps away, return immediately, give her a treat and release her.
  2. Walk 3 feet away, return immediately, treat and release.
  3. Continue this until your dog will stay while you walk up to 15 feet away.

Now you can begin to combine distance and duration. This should be a slow and systematic process. Lower the duration if your dog breaks.

  1. Start with taking two steps away, wait 5 seconds, then return, treat and release.
  2. Gradually work up to the 15 foot distance waiting 5 seconds at each new distance.
  3. Now go back to two steps away and wait for 10 seconds before returning.
  4. Continue this until your dog can stay for 30 seconds while you are 15 feet away.

Dog PawAdd Distractions

When you add distractions, lower your expectations for both duration and distance. Start with mild distractions and work your way up to more difficult distractions. Be patient. A reliable stay requires careful training.

While your dog is in a stay, act silly for a moment. Wave your arms, jump up and down. Can she stay? Try bouncing a ball or squeaking a toy.

STRETCH GOAL

Will your dog stay on her mat while a guest enters the house?

~ ~ ~

Now that your dog is staying put until you release her, follow Buddy to the next lesson.

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