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TEACHING YOUR PUPPY TO STAY
By Debbie Kaminski
Please read General Training Tips first.
It is best to teach this exercise when your puppy is a little
older, at least six months old. It is not fair to expect him to stay
when he is very young...he just can’t sit still that long!
Step 1: Introducing the STAY
command
You should use a six-foot leash to begin this exercise. As you
progress, you may wish to use a longer leash so you can be further
from your puppy.
Remember to start this exercise in a quiet location. When
introducing the stay command, have the puppy sit on your left side
and hold the leash in your left hand. The stay signal is given with
your right hand, palm flat and facing the puppy’s eyes.
Simultaneously, give the signal and tell your puppy to STAY. At
first, only ask him to stay beside you for a few seconds, then
praise and give him a treat. When you release him, take a step
backwards rather than forward. This will further reinforce the stay
and will keep the puppy from creeping forward as the lessons
continue. Work on this for a few days until your puppy seems to be
getting the hang of it. Praise the puppy quietly the entire time he
is staying. Boisterous praise will only encourage him to get up.
Step 2: Now, Step to the Side
Next, after telling your puppy to STAY, you are going to take
one step to the right. It is more likely that your puppy will follow
you if you immediately start to take a step forward, away from your
puppy. By stepping to the side, he can still see your smiling face.
Only leave him for a few seconds. Remember to praise softly so you
don’t encourage him to get up. Remember to use the STAY command
while praising. Only ask him to STAY for a few seconds before
returning to his side. Praise, treat and release backwards.
The length of time you want your puppy to be able to stay is
totally up to you. The key is to increase the distance and time
separately. Let’s say you want your puppy to be able to stay
when you are 20 feet away. Ask him to stay for five seconds as you
increase the distance up to 20 feet. Add a foot every few days. When
you increase the time to 10 seconds, then go back to standing next
to him and build the distance from there adding a foot every few
days.
Step 3: Training in Different
Locations
When teaching the STAY, you want to begin training in
different locations almost immediately. Don’t wait until your
pup will work at the time duration and distance you want to achieve
before adding distractions. You should train at different locations
and distractions should be introduced at each step, even when you
are still standing next to you pup for a few seconds. Remember that
your puppy may backslide in his training when first asked to STAY in
a new location. If he is having problems, go back to having him stay
next to you. Work your way through the different levels and then…
Step 4: …Take Away the Food
Since you will normally not be doing lengthy stays more than
once in a training session, alternate when you treat your puppy. You
may want to work the exercise for three days with a treat and then
on the fourth day, do not treat, only praise.
What If He Doesn’t Stay?
This is only for puppies that understand the meaning of STAY
and will perform in all different locations with distractions. When
he doesn’t obey you, say NO and move him to another part of the
training area and ask him to stay again. Make sure to praise, treat
and release once he has done the exercise correctly.
Down- Stay
Once he has mastered the sit-stay, you can also ask him to down
and stay. Follow the same methods for the down-stay.
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