How to Teach Your Dog to Stay

The one task that can frustrate a puppy owner more than any other is probably the most important thing you can teach a dog – STAY in one place until I tell you to move.  Why is it so important?  Well, it can keep your dog from getting into trouble or danger.  It can keep your dog safe while you're trying to do something else, like clean the house, take care of a child or entertain people in your home.  Out in public, it can keep your dog away from people who might not want to interact with your precious pooch.

You've successfully taught your dog to "stay" when you give the dog the command and it does not move from its original position.  There are many ways to "stay".  You can stay in a "down", or you can stay in a "sit."  It's easier to train the down-stay, so that's where we'll start.

Your dog should already know the "sit" and "down" command to work on "stay".  This homework teaches the dog that the BEST place in the world to be is at your side.  If that sounds familiar, it's the same concept we use to teach "come".  Make sure you teach this exercise in an area where the dog cannot run away, such as an indoor room or an area enclosed by a fence.

1. Put a leash and collar on the dog and tell it to sit, and then down.

2. Once your dog is in the down position, say "good dog" and offer a reward, but keep  the dog in a down.   Remain standing, but keep your fingers lightly in the hollow between the dog's shoulder blades, an easy place to put pressure and keep the dog from rising.

3. Say "the dog's name"  followed by the command "stay" while holding your right  hand up, palm out (as if to motion stop) for a few seconds.

4. Say "good stay 'name' " in an upbeat tone and give your dog a reward.

5. Release your dog from the "stay" by saying "okay" and patting firmly two times on the side of the ribcage.

6. Repeat the whole process, adding a few seconds to the "stay" each time.  Make sure you end the session on a positive, high note.

To reinforce the down command, you will repeat this whole process while sitting on the floor next to the dog, extending the stay out to 5-10 minutes.  This can turn into a bit of a wrestling match, but you essentially are teaching that the stay goes on as long as YOU say it does.  The dog can fall asleep, but cannot get up and wander off without you giving the release command "OK" with the two pats.  Repeat this exercise every night for a week, varying the length of the time in the down-stay.

The next step is to teach the dog to remain in the down-stay while you move away.  This exercise is also done with a leash and collar on.

1. Tell the dog to sit, and then down.

2. Once your dog is in the down position, say "good dog" and offer a reward, but keep       the dog in a down.   Remain standing, but keep your fingers lightly in the hollow between the dog's shoulder blades, an easy place to put pressure and keep the dog from rising.

3. Once you are sure the dog is steady, give the "stay" command with your right hand.  Holding the lead, step out in front of your dog, facing it, not so far away that you can't correct if it gets up when it's not supposed to.

4. Immediately walk around the dog back to your original position.  Reach down and give the "ok" and the release pat and reward.

5. Repeat this whole process, gradually moving further away from your dog.  It is probably wise to lengthen the leash instead of dropping it completely until you are completely sure your dog is not going to run off. 

6. If your dog makes a mistake, return to the first step and complete it successfully so the session ends on a positive note.