Tuesday Training Tip Number 2. Start slow when teaching your dog to stay.

    One of the most common mistakes I have observed among owners training their dogs is the tendency to start big when teaching their dog to stay.  People seem to think that teaching their dog to stay is achieved by putting the dog into a sit, saying stay, and walking away.  The dog gets up, they try a few more times and then condemn the dog as "stubborn" or "stupid".  Fact is, when this is the approach the dog has absolutely no idea what is being asked of it and you will never get your dog to stay.

Step #1.  Show your dog what the word stay means.    Put your dog into a sit (or down), then command them stay.  After a few seconds release them and praise them lavishly.  Add a few seconds gradually until your dog will sit still for at least 20 seconds before you give the release command.

Once your dog will sit by your side until you give the release command you can start adding distance to your stay.

Note:  This is the number one most important thing to remember when teaching your dog to stay!  Whenever your dog gets up take them back to the place they were and put them back into a stay until you release them.  Your dog must always stay UNTIL YOU RELEASE THEM.  It is MUCH BETTER to have your dog stay for only a few seconds and then release them than to have your dog stay for a few minutes and then get up without a release command.  If you allow your dog to get up without giving them the release command then it teaches them that they don't have to obey you.  If your dog is only allowed to get up when given the release command every time then they will learn that obedience is mandatory.

Step #2.  Add distance and time to your sit stay.    When your dog has learned what stay means then you can start walking away from your dog and staying out for a little longer.  At first, just take 1 or 2 steps away from your dog and only stay away for a couple of seconds before returning, rewarding, and releasing your dog.  As time goes on you can gradually stay away for a minute or two from about 6' away.  You can move to 20' away and can eventually teach your dog to stay while you are out of sight for a few minutes.

  So start small and move slowly and your dog can master the stay.   Starting too big and moving too quickly will cause confusion, disobedience, and bad habits.

Sorry I don't have any photos.  It's STILL RAINING!  As things dry up and I get more into the swing of things I will try to put photos into my training posts and maybe even videos.