The Art of Stay
Successfully teaching the stay command is a process. Undoubtedly, difficult for many pups and owners to master, but you can do it. You teach this command after Fred has learned the sit command.
The goal of stay is for your pooch to remain sitting until you, subsequently, give another cut to release. This command is a duration behavior. Start close, then add distance and time to the activity.
The Steps
First, teach your release word. In other words, choose the term to use, such as ‘OK’ or ‘free.’ Stand with Fred as he sits or stands and toss a treat on the floor. Say your term, like OK, as he steps forward for the snack. Repeat this a few times. Then switch the order. Say the word and then toss the treat when he begins to move. This simple activity teaches Fred that the word or cue means to move his feet.
When your dog knows the release word and how to sit on command, put him in a sit. Then, turn and face him and give him a treat. Mentally count to five and give him another reward for staying in a sit, then release him. Gradually increase the in-between time for snacks. Mentally singing a short song or reciting a poem extends the time.
If Fred gets up in advance of the release cue, don’t get upset. This simply means he is not quite ready to sit for so long. Make him successful and go back to a shorter time for a session or two.
Longer Distance
After Fred can sit for several seconds, begin to add distance. Have Fred sit and say ‘stay.’ Take a step back, then step back to Fred, give him a treat and your release cue.
Continue this routine, building steps, keeping it simple enough that Fred is successful. Besides facing Fred with this training, turn your back as you increase distance. Undoubtedly, this is more realistic.
Once Fred has mastered the stay command, continue to increase the distance. Also, this is like the sit command. The better Fred is at sit, the longer he can remain in that position.
Reminders
It takes time to teach these commands. And with 5 to 10-minute training sessions, take care not to expect too much immediately. The goals are achieved in increments.
Take a breath and focus on one goal at a time. Furthermore, to ensure the training sticks end on successful notes of encouragement. Fred can win with you!