Stay is both a safety and relaxation cue. A dog who knows how to stay is less likely to run into the street or door dash, yes, but the cue also builds impulse control by encouraging your dog to take a calm position, even around distractions.
One of the biggest mistakes guardians make when teaching their dog to stay is upping its difficulty level too quickly. Introduce your stay gradually for a rock-solid cue that will remain useful throughout your dog’s life.
How to teach a dog to stay
Step 1: Define the cue
Begin by defining the word “stay” for your dog and teaching them a hand signal.
- Ask your dog to sit or lay down.
- Say the word “stay” and put your flat hand out in front of you like a stop sign.
- Wait for two seconds without moving.
- Mark the moment the two seconds are up with a word like “yes!” or a clicker, and then reward your dog with a treat.
- Let your dog know it’s okay to get up by telling them “free!” or “okay!”
Repeat this sequence at least five times. It’s also okay not to free your dog between repetitions if they are comfortable in a sit or down.
Step 2: Move away from your dog
When you begin to move away from your dog, just take a single step. If that’s asking too much, try rocking backwards on several repetitions before again trying to take a step back.
- Ask your dog to sit or lay down.
- Say the word “stay” and put your flat hand out in front of you like a stop sign.
- Take one step back or, if that’s too intense, rock backwards.
- Return to your original position and then mark and reward.
- Let your dog know it’s okay to get up by telling them “free!” or “okay!” Repeat at least five times.
Step 3: Building distance, duration and distraction
If you increase the distance you step away from your dog, the length of time you step away for, and the level of distraction all at the same time, your dog is likely to become confused. Instead, change one just one parameter at a time so that your dog can succeed.
- Ask your dog to sit or lay down.
- Say the word “stay” and put your flat hand out in front of you like a stop sign.
- Take two steps back OR take one step back, waiting there for 5 seconds.
- Return to your original position and then mark and reward.
- Let your dog know it’s okay to get up by telling them “free!” or “okay!” Repeat at least five times.
Step 4: Continue to gradually increase the challenge
Keep building the cue by changing the criteria one at a time and resisting the desire to move too quickly. Just because your dog can stay reliably at home for five seconds while you stand two steps away doesn’t mean they are ready to stay for 20 seconds while you are out of sight. Each time you change the criteria, be sure your dog is successful at least five times before bumping them up to the next level.
- Ask your dog to sit or lay down.
- Say the word “stay” and put your flat hand out in front of you like a stop sign.
- Increase the challenge incrementally. If you previously took two steps away, now try three. If you previously waited for 5 seconds, now try 10, and so on.
- Return to your original position and then mark and reward.
- Let your dog know it’s okay to get up by telling them “free!” or “okay!” Repeat at least five times.