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 Stay
The Stay Command should be taught very slowly. Your dog needs to understand that Stay means, “Do not Move, until I give another command.”
Try to make sure that your dog does not fail. If you think the dog is going to move or break the Stay, it may be advisable to Release or give another command. If your dog breaks the Stay, put them back in their place in the same position and reinforce the Command with your open hand in front of their muzzle.
If you train the Stay to quickly, you will need to start back at the beginning.
- With your dog in front of you or on your left side, tell your dog to Sit.
- Give the command Stay and place the palm of your hand in front of his muzzle.
- Wait just a few seconds, then release and praise your dog.
Repeat this a few times for several sessions.
When the dog seems to understand the command Stay, use the same procedure and take just one step away from him. If your dog moves toward you or in another direction, guide him back into position and start at step 2 again.
It will help your dog if you use your right foot to begin moving away from your dog in a Stay. Later, you will use the left foot when we want the dog to heel.
As the dog becomes more confident with the Stay command, slowly add just one or two more steps and a few more seconds. Step back to the dog, praise and play and let him relax.
When your dog will Stay for a count of five, begin adding a call for the dog to come to you.
Success is when you can dance around with cookies in your hand and your dog sits quietly in a Stay. Then you start to practice leaving the room for the count of 5 and work up to 5 minutes. This is very hard, but if you train very slowly it is possible.
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