Stay

Stay is probably the command that goes most against the dogs natural desires. After all, they want to be with you, and if you sit them somewhere and walk away, they are going to want to follow.

So take it in small steps and don't rush it.

Once your dog is heeling and sitting well, put it in sit beside you, say "stay" and put your hand in front of it's nose in the traditional "stopping traffic" pose (only upside down). Then, with the foot that is away from the dog take a small step, keeping your hand in front of their nose, until you are standing in front of them. Step back, praise dog.

Repeat a few times so that the dog understands that you aren't leaving, just changing possition.

Don't do more then that for a few days - just keep doing that. Once the dog obviously really doesn't mind you doing it and shows no inclination to stand up, take a second SMALL step away before turning. If your dog breaks stay at any time, say (don't yell) "No" and return him to the spot. Then go back to the one small step for a few more days.

Build it up gradually until you can get to the end of the lead. At this stage it's important that you always return to the dog, don't call the dog to you. Later, when your dog knows "Stay" well, then you can add the "come" command - not yet!

You can vary this, and you should vary this, with a "drop" instead of "sit". Do a couple of sit/stays, then do a drop/stay.

Remember, there is no need to do this hundreds of times a day! A couple of minutes of short stays, morning and night, are worth more then 100 stays in a row.

If you have questions about "stay" you would like to see in this section, please email me at eliza@elizasart.com