Training Your Dog To Stay

If there were only two commands you could teach your dog, “Sit”, and “Stay” would be them.

To be a responsible dog owner, you must be able to teach these two commands to him – so you have control over him when you're out and about.

As usual, you should start this training session in a quiet indoor area such as a hallway, and limit the session to around 15 minutes.

Here are the steps to follow:

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With your dog on your left side, hold the leash at waist level in your left hand, and a food reward in your right. As your dog starts to sit (so he can focus on the food treat) give the command “Sit”.

While you maintain tension on the leash, step forwards with your right foot. Then give the command “Stay” as you move forwards.

While you maintain eye contact with your dog, move your left foot to join your right foot.

Next: Exert light pressure on the leash and hold it over your dog’s head, then turn to face your dog. Keep his concentration by holding the food reward high above its head.

Now you should reward your dog for staying. Slowly walk around your dog, holding the leash above his head. Stick to as few words for each command as possible so you don’t confuse your dog by saying too many different things.

After several sessions of this your dog should sit and stay while on the leash.

The next thing to do is to drop the leash and repeat each of the previous steps.

When your dog will sit and stay with the leash dropped, give him a food reward.

Important Note: Remember that you’re teaching your dog a completely new language, so you can’t expect him to understand these new commands straight away.

Patience and persistence is required, so take your time.