Dog Training Tip #3- Stay

The command "Stay" can be useful at times. It can keep your dog out of danger.  An example, if he wanted to chase something in the street, all you have to say is stay and he won't move.
Stay is used in the Obedience classes at dog shows along with the command sit.
Your dog must learn the command sit before learning stay (see dog training tip #1).

Simple steps to training your dog the command stay:
1. Tell your dog to sit.
2. Then stand directly in front of him and tell him firmly "STAY". You can also use a hand signal like putting your palm out towards him.
3.Wait for about 1-2 seconds and then praise him and say "Good boy stay!"
4. Then, make the dog stay for about 3-4 seconds and so on. For 4-H Roxy has to stay in sit for 1 minute and down for 3 minutes. Take it slowly.
5. As you make him stay longer, walk a little bit further away from him.
6. If your dog gets up during the process without your release say "no-no" or "ah-ah". Do not praise and put him back into the position immediately so that way he knows that you don't want him to move.
7. As your dog gets more advanced at stay you can add distractions. Throw some treats in front of him, call his name, have other people call his name, or throw his ball. You can take him to new locations and make him stay. You must make it clear he may not get up without your permission.
8. Eventually keep adding to the distance. Then completly leave your dog and tell him to stay for however long you want him to. When you return to the room you left him in, he should still be staying.
9. Always make sure that training is fun for the dog. If he feels like he's being punished, he won't want to listen anymore. You want to be firm, but very rewarding.