In 5 steps you’re able to instruct any dog how to gayly continue in property .

The " stay " discriminative stimulus is a exceedingly useful acquirement that every hound should know . It ’s a foundational skill that can be paired with many other clue in a variety of situations . you may use the cue " stay " on walks to forbid your dog from dash across the street or when get to the door to grab the mail , and you may even add it to a more complex behavior like " go - to - bed . "

learn a dog to outride on clue is less complicated than you might think . With safe timing , andpositive support , you’re able to teach a dog to " stay " promptly . Just remember in yourbeginning days of trainingthat " stay " entail your hound last out put untilyoureturn to them ! Do n’t confuse this cue with " come . " Alwaysreturn to your dogbefore you punctuate and reward . recollect to lead off dense and easy , with scant time requirements and very minimal distractions .

Medium-sized dog stays put at owner’s signal

Photo: Carson Downing

What You Need to Get Started

Choose a Great Reinforcer for Your Dog

Select a reinforcerto provide your dog as they learn and make smashing choices . A great reinforcement should be something your dog really need , is small , and is easy to provide repeatedly . For 99 pct of hot dog this is some kind of nutrient token like atreat . thing like hack - up hotdogs , small pieces of cheese or lunch meat , or memory board - bought breeding treats are unspoiled options .

Form an Effective Marker

Amarker(also called a bridge orbridging input ) is a sound or paw signal that order your dog the precise minute they did something that earned them a reinforcer ( the treat ) . Aclickeris a great peter to use for this . If you do n’t have a clicker you’re able to just use a Word of God like " yes " or"good " or a hand sign like a thumbs up , but pickoneand stick to it . Mark the behaviour the 2nd you see it . The more precise and quick your mark is , the more effective your teaching becomes .

5 Steps to Teach Your Dog to “Stay” on Cue

1. Reinforce for Remaining in Front of You

With your dog in front of you , begin reenforce him for continue in front of you by giving him treat . He can be standing , sitting , or laying down — as long as he does n’t take the air away , he gets delicacy . You quickly will discover which place he prefer .

2. Ask Your Dog to Sit, and Add a Cue

Now that you have his tending , ask your dog to " sit down . “The second he does , mark the behavior and give a delicacy . Repeat this several times without saying anything or moving so that your dog understands that remaining in that place equal treat . Then , still without moving your body , present an undefended hand facing upward towards him ( helping hand signal ) OR say the word " stay on " ( verbal discriminative stimulus ) . clean one and stick to it because this is your cue . If he stays in position , mark the behaviour and give him a treat . Repeat several times .

3. Take a Step Backward

With your hot dog still in a sit position give your hand sign or verbal cue . Slowly rock back on one infantry or take one step back and immediately give back to him . If he remains in position , mark and reinforce .

4. Add More Distance

Do n’t hasten this or move too far too fast ! You may find you may only take a one or two step aside at first to ensure your cad is successful . Raise your open hand or say your verbal discriminative stimulus " persist , " and take a step or two half-witted then immediately render to your frankfurter . If he stays , cross off the behavior and give him a treat . recur this several clock time .

5. Work On the 3 “D’s”

bear on to strengthen the cue by gradually solve on thethree " D ’s " : length ( how far you tread by ) , continuance ( how long your dog remains in position ) , and distraction ( haphazardness , things that move , sounds , etc ) . focalise on one " d " ( like distance ) before you move to the next .

bakshish : Always typeset your dog up for achiever by going deadening and reward constantly . Think baby steps ! If at any full point your dog does n’t hold the stay , consider if you are moving too fast or if yourrate of reinforcementis too lowly . Go back a few stairs in the physical process and reenforce him for short periods of time ( and smaller distance forth from you ) in the stead .

Using confirming reinforcement piddle learning new skills for your dog fun and easy . With more experience , and practice , you may instruct your dogshake , range over , heel , fetch , and tons of other new dog whoremonger they need to live happily by your side .

Dog looks upward at treat in owner’s hand while sitting

Carson Downing

Dog stays in standing position and is rewarded by owner

Carson Downing

teach dog to stay

Carson Downing

Owner signals stay to sitting dog

Carson Downing

teaching dog to stay

Carson Downing

Dog stays sitting as owner signs to him to stay a few steps away

Carson Downing