TEACHING YOUR PUPPY TO STAY
Please read General Training Tips first.
It is best to teach this exercise when your puppy is a little older, at least six months old. It is not fair to expect him to stay
when he is very young...he just can’t sit still that long!
Step 1: Introducing the STAY command
You should use a six-foot leash to begin this exercise. As you progress, you may wish to use a longer leash so you can
be further from your puppy.
Remember to start this exercise in a quiet location. When introducing the stay command, have the puppy sit on your left
side and hold the leash in your left hand. The stay signal is given with your right hand, palm flat and facing the puppy’s
eyes. Simultaneously, give the signal and tell your puppy to STAY. At first, only ask him to stay beside you for a few
seconds, then praise and give him a treat. When you release him, take a step backwards rather than forward. This will
further reinforce the stay and will keep the puppy from creeping forward as the lessons continue. Work on this for a few
days until your puppy seems to be getting the hang of it. Praise the puppy quietly the entire time he is staying.
Boisterous praise will only encourage him to get up.
Step 2: Now, Step to the Side
Next, after telling your puppy to STAY, you are going to take one step to the right. It is more likely that your puppy will
follow you if you immediately start to take a step forward, away from your puppy. By stepping to the side, he can still see
your smiling face. Only leave him for a few seconds. Remember to praise softly so you don’t encourage him to get up.
Remember to use the STAY command while praising. Only ask him to STAY for a few seconds before returning to his
side. Praise, treat and release backwards.
The length of time you want your puppy to be able to stay is totally up to you. The key is to increase the distance and
time separately. Let’s say you want your puppy to be able to stay when you are 20 feet away. Ask him to stay for five
seconds as you increase the distance up to 20 feet. Add a foot every few days. When you increase the time to 10
seconds, then go back to standing next to him and build the distance from there adding a foot every few days.
Step 3: Training in Different Locations
When teaching the STAY, you want to begin training in different locations almost immediately. Don’t wait until your pup
will work at the time duration and distance you want to achieve before adding distractions. You should train at different
locations and distractions should be introduced at each step, even when you are still standing next to you pup for a few
seconds. Remember that your puppy may backslide in his training when first asked to STAY in a new location. If he is
having problems, go back to having him stay next to you. Work your way through the different levels and then…
Step 4: …Take Away the Food
Since you will normally not be doing lengthy stays more than once in a training session, alternate when you treat your
puppy. You may want to work the exercise for three days with a treat and then on the fourth day, do not treat, only
praise.
What If He doesn't Stay?
This is only for puppies that understand the meaning of STAY and will perform in all different locations with distractions.
When he doesn't obey you, say NO and move him to another part of the training area and ask him to stay again. Make
sure to praise, treat and release once he has done the exercise correctly.
Down- Stay
Once he has mastered the sit-stay, you can also ask him to down and stay. Follow the same methods for the down-stay.
Please read General Training Tips first.
It is best to teach this exercise when your puppy is a little older, at least six months old. It is not fair to expect him to stay
when he is very young...he just can’t sit still that long!
Step 1: Introducing the STAY command
You should use a six-foot leash to begin this exercise. As you progress, you may wish to use a longer leash so you can
be further from your puppy.
Remember to start this exercise in a quiet location. When introducing the stay command, have the puppy sit on your left
side and hold the leash in your left hand. The stay signal is given with your right hand, palm flat and facing the puppy’s
eyes. Simultaneously, give the signal and tell your puppy to STAY. At first, only ask him to stay beside you for a few
seconds, then praise and give him a treat. When you release him, take a step backwards rather than forward. This will
further reinforce the stay and will keep the puppy from creeping forward as the lessons continue. Work on this for a few
days until your puppy seems to be getting the hang of it. Praise the puppy quietly the entire time he is staying.
Boisterous praise will only encourage him to get up.
Step 2: Now, Step to the Side
Next, after telling your puppy to STAY, you are going to take one step to the right. It is more likely that your puppy will
follow you if you immediately start to take a step forward, away from your puppy. By stepping to the side, he can still see
your smiling face. Only leave him for a few seconds. Remember to praise softly so you don’t encourage him to get up.
Remember to use the STAY command while praising. Only ask him to STAY for a few seconds before returning to his
side. Praise, treat and release backwards.
The length of time you want your puppy to be able to stay is totally up to you. The key is to increase the distance and
time separately. Let’s say you want your puppy to be able to stay when you are 20 feet away. Ask him to stay for five
seconds as you increase the distance up to 20 feet. Add a foot every few days. When you increase the time to 10
seconds, then go back to standing next to him and build the distance from there adding a foot every few days.
Step 3: Training in Different Locations
When teaching the STAY, you want to begin training in different locations almost immediately. Don’t wait until your pup
will work at the time duration and distance you want to achieve before adding distractions. You should train at different
locations and distractions should be introduced at each step, even when you are still standing next to you pup for a few
seconds. Remember that your puppy may backslide in his training when first asked to STAY in a new location. If he is
having problems, go back to having him stay next to you. Work your way through the different levels and then…
Step 4: …Take Away the Food
Since you will normally not be doing lengthy stays more than once in a training session, alternate when you treat your
puppy. You may want to work the exercise for three days with a treat and then on the fourth day, do not treat, only
praise.
What If He doesn't Stay?
This is only for puppies that understand the meaning of STAY and will perform in all different locations with distractions.
When he doesn't obey you, say NO and move him to another part of the training area and ask him to stay again. Make
sure to praise, treat and release once he has done the exercise correctly.
Down- Stay
Once he has mastered the sit-stay, you can also ask him to down and stay. Follow the same methods for the down-stay.
| Oldendorf Boxers of... Old Woods Trail Kennel 20898 Old Woods Trail Barnett, Mo. 65011 Phone #(573)378-8310 oldendorfboxers@yahoo.com www.oldendorfboxers.com |
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