2nd Dog Training Lesson: The Stay Command

The stay command is one of the most important command that our pet dogs must learn. It teaches dogs self-control, discipline and promotes mental stimulation. It can also prevent your dog from any possible harm inside the house if he's off-leash.

Unlike most commands, a marker is not given when the dog stays still rather the marker is given after a dog stays still for a particular length of time doing nothing. Before teaching the stay command, the dog must learn first how to sit

First thing to do is,look for a place where there is zero distraction, like a quiet room where your dog can fully concentrate on training. Have your dog sit in front of you. Put your palm in front of your dog's face and give the stay command. At this this point the dog has not learned anything yet but once you have given the signal observe how long your dog will stay.

In my case, the first time I taught the stay command,I timed my dog for an initial ten seconds (make it short first, to make room for success.) After ten seconds, while still maintaining the sit position praise and reward the dog with a treat. If within 10 seconds the dog attempts to break his position, say a simple "No!" or "uh-um bad dog" and hold his position by putting your left hand on his butt and your right hand on his chest to correct the behavior. Give again the stay command and make him stay for another 10 seconds. If the dog is successful,praise and treat to mark the behavior, to make the dog understand that when he stays he'll get something good in return.

Repeat the procedure but this time gradually increase the length of time that the dog needs to stay in the sitting position but do not change the environment. If the dog already understands to associate the command to the desired behavior you can gradually increase the distraction. (If you are in a quiet room,you can turn on your TV or radio to add distraction).

At this point, the dog is now used to simple distractions (TV,radio,people creating noise,..etc),you and your dog can now go outdoors to make your dog learn to execute the stay command with more distractions.