Stay Command article by the Miami Dog Whisperer, Miami dog trainer

Tips to get your dog to “stay”:

Have your ‘high end’ treats ready for easy access. I recommend bite size hot dog pieces.

2. Attach your leash to your dog’s collar while continuing to hold the handle of it in your left hand. You will use your right hand
to deliver the treats.

3. Step directly in front of your dog and give him the sit command with your hand.

4. As soon as they sit, give them a treat.

5. Put your right hand in front of their face and pump your hand in a “stay” motion.

6. Immediately give them a treat, to show that the word “stay” and them staying is a good thing.

7. When you first start to train this command, do not use any words, and instead use your hands to speak to your dog. This will
help you communicate with your dog when they are too far away to hear you.

8.Stay completely quiet as you continue to use your hand to indicate to them to “stay” and move away from them.

9.If they move to get up, go back to them and start from the beginning.

10.Once they stay, take 2 steps back and immediately come back and give a treat.

11. Try again with a little more distance 4 steps, and a little longer 8 steps, and go back to them and give them a treat
immediately.

12. Try leaving the room and coming back right away and treat, then take a little more time to return and treat.

13. The goal is to go away from them when they cannot see you, and they will still stay in the same place until you ask them to
“come” –which will be your release command (look for the “come” command in the next article)

“Stay” Command; Getting your dog to
“stay”
anywhere, anytime!

"The “stay” command
gives the owner the
control they need
when the dog needs
to stay put and not
move."

“Stay” is an important command for your dog to learn. The “stay” command gives the owner the control they need when the dog needs to stay put
and not move.

** Remember that before beginning the stay command with your dog they should already have developed a decent understanding of the “sit” command, which is the very
first thing a dog owner will teach their dog when they start training**
IMPORTANT: Obedience commands are quite “unnatural” for our K9 friends, so it is extremely crucial that you make it fun for the dog as you train them, and that you, too,
have fun with it. This will help the dog enjoy and take pleasure in doing the commands and pleasing their owner. Training a dog should make the dog happy and willing to
participate and the owner should praise and treat for a job well done.

		It can actually save your dog’s life, by having the dog “stay” when you open the door and
		not allow them to run out.
		It can be helpful when guest arrive and you want the dog to stay somewhere and wait to
		be greeted rather than jump on the new arrivals.
		It can make walks much more pleasant because you, as the owner, will be more in
		control of the dog, and not the other way around.

"If you talk to your dog as you
are training, then their brain will
become active and unfocused
because they are trying to figure
out what you are telling them,
since they are much better at
reading your body language."

Dogs are masters of body language, so this is what they’ll be cuing in on while you work with them. If you talk to your dog as you are training,
then their brain will become active and unfocused because they are trying to figure out what you are telling them, since they are much better at
reading your body language. Start using the word “stay” a few days later when dog has a good grasp for the command, that way if you ever need
the dog to stay and they do not see you , they can connect the word with the command.
If you do a good job of containing your own emotions when training your dog this command, you will achieve big results on just the first day. I
guarantee it!

Then I start trying to leave the room and go back and reward making things harder. To test or proof the stay command I will drop treats on the
floor near and around the dog or kick his favorite toys around the room while he’s in stay. If he doesn't’t break the stay command I go back and
reward.

Corrections for the stay command- If the dog gets up from the sit slowly walk towards them saying NO then grab the leash gently bringing
them back to the exact spot they were in and sit them again and start over. Repeat the exercise until the dog is successful in completing the task.
Do Not run at the dog yelling at them for making a mistake or else you will have an unnecessarily long road ahead of you.