Stay Command

... how to train a dog to stay

Teaching your dog to stay is a very useful trick for any pet owner. It can keep your pet out of danger, or at the very least keep your pet away when you need some extra space. Stay is an easy trick to teach, and is one of the first tricks you will teach your dog that requires progressive training – training that involves the gradual teaching of a trick, rather than your pet learning the correct behavior immediately.

Teaching Your Dog the Stay Command

Your dog should already know some of the simple commands like sit, lay down, etc. It is important that they know these tricks before you try to get them to stay, so that you can have them stay in those positions.

Have your dog sit or stand.

Place your hand in front of your dog’s face and say “Stay.”

After just one or two seconds, if your dog has not moved, praise your dog and give it a treat.

Continue until it appears your dog understands that “Stay” involves not moving.

Once you have seen this confirmation, it is time to start making “Stay” last longer. Start by waiting 2 to 3 seconds before you praise and give a treat. Make your way up to 4 or 5 seconds.

As you start increasing the time, it is also time to start increasing your distance. Once your dog is able to successfully hold stay for 2 to 3 seconds, start backing away so that you end further and further away from your dog. If they are able to hold the position, shower them with praise and give them treats.

Over time your dog will learn to wait a long period of time before it moves after stay, waiting until it hears your praise before it moves from its spot.

Adding a Release Word

Many people like to add a release word to the Stay command. A release word is a word like “Done” or “Okay” that tells your dog that it is okay to stop staying in place. A release word is simple to add and very effective. To add a release word, wait until your dog already seems to be understanding “stay” and you have managed to go a good distance from your dog without movement – at least several feet away if not more.

Say “Stay” and back away. Instead of praising your dog and showering it with treats, you say “Okay!” in a happy voice (dog’s respond more positively when happy voices are used with release commands, as they imply praise) and then you shower your dog with praise and give your dog a treat. However, do not approach your dog. Let your dog run towards you. This way your dog associates the release word with the freedom to move, and the “Stay” command with remaining in place.

Teaching your dog to stay is a useful tool. With a little bit of treats and a lot of praise, you can easily get your dog to stay in place whenever you need it. To learn more tricks for teaching your dog new commands sign up for a free newsletter today!

Return from Stay Command to Dog Training Assistant Home