This is a really useful training tip as it can be used in a whole host of situations.  From stopping your dog from crossing a road to getting them to settle in their bed.  You need to be very consistent when training the stay and very particular about your body language and tone of voice.  In this article I will detail how to get a reliable stay.

Getting Started

Focus on keeping our puppy calm and relaxed, so take your puppy out for a good walk first.  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 reduce the likelihood of your puppy or dog coming over for its treat.

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.

Giving the cue

Give the dog the command ’stay’ with a flat palm facing the dog.  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. 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.

TOP TIP: Do not use your puppy’s name when training the stay or they will think you are calling them to you.

TOP TIP: 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!

Extending the stay

You can then start moving further and further away as your puppy remains in the same spot. 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.

TOP TIP: 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.