Teach Your Dog to Stay

Training your dog to perform tricks is not only fun, but it also helps to strengthen the bond you have with your canine friend. However, while it all may seem like fun and games, training your dog to respond to a variety of commands can help to keep him safe in potentially dangerous situations. Training also helps your dog to grow into adulthood smoothly, and to find his place within your family. Aside from sitting, teaching your dog to stay is one of the most popular and important tricks for your dog to learn.

Before you can teach your dog to stay, make sure he understands the command to sit. Your dog must also know a command to end the staying. Teaching him to come to you often works well. Without an end command, your dog will become confused and it will be more of a struggle to teach him to stay. Remember to keep training sessions to five minutes or so whenever you are starting a new command or trick.

Begin teaching your dog to stay by asking him to sit. Offer praise as soon as he sits. Next, open your hand, and stretch it out, as though you are a crossing guard directly traffic. Say the command, “Stay,” and as your dog remains in place, verbally praise him and offer a treat. If your dog does not respond as you like, remember to go back to the basics. Ask for the sit, and immediately offer praise. Command him to stay, and even if he stays for only a second, offer praise in that one second.

As your dog becomes more accustomed to the command, you can lengthen the amount of time that you ask for the behavior. Always remember to give the command to come to you when you are ready to let the trick end. If you experience difficulties, remember to go back to the beginning, starting with sit, and then stay, until your dog gets the hang of it.