STAY
Once your dog has learned how to sit it’s time to teach them how to stay. It’s important to have both a hand sign and a verbal command for stay so that eventually you can give them a hand sign from a distance. Once again, be sure to teach the behavior before you add the command. Follow these steps:
Hold a treat between your thumb and your hand so that your dog can see it (“palm” it).
Have the dog sit directly in front of you, show them your hand, count to two and then reward
Next time show the dog your hand, count to four and then reward. Be sure to use verbal praise as well.
As you progress, begin to move back by adding small steps.
Once you know they are starting to understand the behavior, then add the verbal command “stay.”
As you move back further and further, when it comes time to reward them move back towards your dog gradually, giving them the “stay command” and then treating.
If you go too far and they can no longer stay, go back to the furthest distance where they succeeded and repeat that.
Always remember to end on a positive note and continue the training, fresh, the next day.
Remember, your dog’s mind can focus more clearly if you stop, almost like a Polaroid imprint, when you give the command STAY. If you are constantly moving it will be hard for your dog focus.
Watch my video below to learn more