How do I Train my Dog to Sit or Stay
Teaching and training a dog how to Sit or Stay involves teaching the Sit command but with added steps. One of these is getting your dog to Sit for a duration of time and the other is getting your dog to Sit while you the trainer move away or create distance between you and your dog. Here are the steps for teaching duration:
- Sit your dog and count two seconds before giving the click and treat.
- Increase the amount of time your dog holds the Sit position before you click.
- When you can count ten seconds then label this behavior "Stay" and give the hand signal. The generally accepted hand signal is an open flat palm pointed toward your dog.
- Randomly increase the time between the command and the click so that your dog is never quite sure how long she must wait for the click.
- When ready introduce distractions, but be sure to begin from the first step so as to reinforce the Sit/Stay command in new environments.
Next is to how to teach your dog to hold the Sit/Stay command even when you are moving away from him. Following is the way to teach your dog to Stay while you are walking away:
- Command your dog to Sit and then move half a pace to the left or right, step back in front of your dog right away. If your dog stayed then click and treat but if not then try a smaller movement.
- With your hands in front of the dog move your body slightly. If he maintained his position, click and treat. Continue like this until your dog understands that he must remain in position to receive a click.
- Keep moving and slowly increase the distance between you and your dog. Always return to your dog with out stopping to click and treat if he held his position. If you stop at a point away from your dog you risk having him run to you.
- When you are able to walk across the room without your dog moving, try repeating this but without returning to him for a few seconds.
- Slowly lengthen both the duration and distance. Always rewarding extra for exceptional behavior. Down/Stay
