‘Stay’

 

Step 1: Start with your pup either sitting or laying down in front of you. Take one step backwards and then return to your original position. If your dog has not moved, 'mark' and treat!

Step 2: Repeat this a number of times, changing up how long you stay back before returning to your original place, between 1 to 10 seconds.

Step 3: Then, start adding your verbal cue 'stay' just before stepping back. Try this a few times.

Step 4: Once you have introduced the cue 'stay', then you can start creating a larger distance between you and your pup. Try taking 2 steps backwards and varying how long you stay before returning back. Then 3 steps, then 4 steps etc.

Step 5: After you can reliably take 10 steps backwards and wait 10 seconds without your pup moving, you can then try turning around rather than stepping backwards. For example: You would say 'stay', turn around and walk 10 steps, then turn back around and return to where you started.

TIP: It's important to do this, as you don't typically leave a room or area by walking backwards out of it. Meaning when you turn to leave, your dog will not understand, as that is now how you have trained or practiced.

 

Fun & Games

 

'Stay' continued

STEP 1:

When your dog has learned that “stay” means remain in position for 10 seconds every time you ask with you standing in front of him you can begin adding more duration and distance. Here’s how to increase duration.

  1. Ask your dog to stand in front of you or at your side.

  2. Look at your watch and vary the time your dog stays incrementally, little by little, until you reach 5 minutes.

  3. Repeat this in calm environments standing in front of your dog or very close.

STEP 2:

Now we can begin to increase the distance. Here’s how to teach your dog to “stay” at a greater distance from you.

  1. Ask your dog to stay in front of you.

  2. Take one step back, mark and return immediately to treat your dog. Again, take a step back, mark, return immediately and treat your dog. Remember the beginning (Step 1) of teaching “stay”? Your dog does, too! If your dog gets up, ask him to return to his position. Then take a smaller step, stretch your hand between yourself and your dog (this will make it seem as if you aren’t as far away from your dog). Mark and reward your dog. Be generous.

  3. Repeat several times and gradually increase the distance until you can get 10 meters (30 feet) away from your dog. Your dog will have learned to trust that you will return to him, step by step.

STEP 3:

Your dog now remains in a “stay” for several minutes and at various distances away from you. This is fantastic impulse control! Now it’s time to gradually add distractions. Remember you need this exercise for real-life situations like when you break a glass, a baby cries, a car is coming, your shoe comes untied, etc.

  1. While you are working with distractions, at first, decrease the distance and the duration. Have several high-value treats in your hand.

  2. Practice in several positions and with weird movements such as jumping jacks, pretending to drop something, making strange sounds, etc. Mark and reward.

  3. Walk past your dog, jump, and mark and reward your dog for each distraction you add.

  4. Repeat this doing crazy things: ask your kids to play around your dog, ring the doorbell, etc. When you train outside of your home or when you are using higher levels of distraction and excitement, make your criteria (expectations) easier and use higher value treats – the distractions (sounds, smells and movements) are enormous.

Always set your dog up for success and to be able to do what you ask!

 

With contributions from IAABC