Stay
In this exercise you will teach your dog to stay in the position you have asked for until you tell him that he can move, by using a release word, for example, “okay” or “that will do.”
Ultimately, the goal of this exercise is to be able to leave your dog in a “sit,” “stand,” or “down” position, walk away, and return a few minutes later to find your dog still in the same position. He must remain in that pose until you give your release word. Start by teaching your dog to “stay” when you are standing beside him, and then teach him to stay when you move away from him. “Stay” can be taught from a “sit,” “stand,” or “down” position.
Step 1
Begin with your dog in a “down,” and stand by him. Using a gentle hand gesture as your signal for “stay,” count to five, and say the release word, followed by calm, but warm praise. Too much fuss could overexcite him, so that he does not “stay” until you give the release.
Step 2
With your dog in “down,” take up your position next to him, give your hand signal, then swivel around to face him. Continue to give the hand signal, count to five, swivel back, and then click-and-treat and release. Keep increasing the time during which you ask him to “stay.”
Step 3
Get your dog to lie down, and then take a half step away from him, give the hand signal as you do this, and then return, click-and-treat, and release. Steadily increase the distance that you move away from your dog as you practice this, but always return to him before you click, treat, praise, and release.
Step 4
With your dog in the “down” position, you should now gradually stretch the time that you remain at a distance from him before returning, and then click and reward with treats and praise, then release.
Step 5
Eventually your dog will learn to maintain his position until you return, even when you go out of sight. The secret to your dog’s mastering this command is constant repetition and reward, as well as the gradual increase of time and distance that you are away from him.
Back to "Further Training"STAY
The main problem that owners may encounter in teaching “stay” is that the dog moves before hearing the click, receiving the treat, and being released. Sometimes this happens because you have tried to progress too quickly, either by expecting the dog to stay too long or because you have moved too far away, at a stage when your dog just isn’t steady enough. If your dog makes a mistake and moves too soon, simply re-position him and start again—at a shorter distance, for a shorter time. Try to remain calm and don’t get angry. As with any exercise—if you feel you are getting frustrated, it is better to stop the training session (and have a break to restore your composure!)