A very useful and important tool here, training your dog or puppy to understand and obey the obedience command stay command. People automatically assume the puppy comes pre programmed. Unfortunately not! Don’t fear, I will talk you through teaching a great stay.

Once again make sure your dog has mastered the good means good training before beginning.

First step

So this time we are going to focus on keeping our puppy calm and relaxed.  A jumpy, excitable puppy will only make things worse. So take your puppy out for a good walk first.

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When training the stay remain very low key, don’t repeat the commands or shout them at your dog. A firm tone of voice for the ’stay’ is required but a low key ‘good’ will stop your pup coming over for its treat.

Second step

Ask your dog to either sit or down (its up to you) in front of you.  Make sure you have an upright posture (most people bend over when calling the dog, so don’t send mixed signals).  Don’t have any treats in your hands, keep them in your pocket for now and make sure your puppy knows this.  Give the dog the command ’stay’ with a flat palm facing the dog as shown in the picture to the right.

Keep one foot in place and step back with the other.  As quickly as you moved that foot away, take it straight back and use the sequence ’stay’, ‘good’, reward.  Do not try to move away too quickly or you will undo all your efforts.

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Do not use your puppy’s name, they will think you are calling them over.

Third step

Once your puppy remains sat or lay still when you move your foot away, you can now take one step back with both feet. Once again return immediately and ’stay’, ‘good’, reward.

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When returning to your puppy don’t make too much of a fuss or they will break the position they are in. A simple low key good is all that is required. Let the treat do the talking not you!

Fourth step

This time stay away and count to three and return, slowly but surely building this up to at least twenty seconds before you create a greater distance between you and your dog.  You can then start moving further and further away as your puppy remains in the same spot.

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If your puppy gets up and moves during any of this training then you must say ‘no’ gently and patiently take them back to the EXACT spot they moved from, without exception.  Even a small creep will damage their understanding and your control.

Training your dog or puppy to complete other commands is hugely beneficial to your dog and to you see these dog training articles to help you out.