There is no one method that is guaranteed to work when you are trying to teach your dog the stay command. Dogs are unique after all, with personalities and quirks entirely their own.
Still, there are some time-tested teaching tricks that can convey your message to your dog clearer. They should be able to work even if there are external factors (discussed in last week’s article) getting in the way.
If you don’t want your upcoming dog training sessions to turn into tiring affairs, you should give these tips a try.
Master the “Down” Command First
Before you can go about teaching your dog how to stay, be sure that he/she is already familiar with the down command first. The down command is crucial to your dog getting the gist of what you want him/her to do.
Once you’ve drilled the down command, you can move ahead to the next steps.
Establish Clear Commands
Clear commands are crucial to teaching your dog how to stay. Without them, your dog may often become confused and unsure of what he/she needs to do.
For the “stay” command, you can simply use the word itself or a hand gesture. A forward-facing palm should work here. You should also come up with a simple release word or command to let your dog know that he/she can move again.
It doesn’t really matter which word or gesture you go with, but the American Kennel Club does note that you should use it consistently.
Don’t Give the Reward Too Early
A common mistake pet owners make when teaching their dog a new trick is handing out the reward too early. By doing that, your dog may mistakenly think that you are rewarding him/her for something other than performing the right command.
When it comes to the stay command, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends providing the reward while your dog is in the down position. If your dog has already moved, hold off on providing the reward.
Keep Practicing
Lastly, you should take the time to practice the stay command as often as you can with your dog until it becomes something he/she can execute with no problem. As you continue practicing the command, increase the distance, prolong the duration, and add distractions to challenge your dog further.
After all those practice sessions, sitting still should no longer be an issue for your beloved pet.
Teaching your dog how to consistently perform the stay command is not going to be easy, but it can be done. Make use of the tips in this article to give your dog a better chance of nailing this command sooner rather than later.
Getting your dog to follow the stay command may prove to be a challenge, so please don’t hesitate to contact TAILored Pet Services if you need some assistance. You can reach us by calling 425-923-7791 or browsing our website.
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