Training a Dog to "Sit" and "Stay"

The "sit" and "stay" commands are very useful to control a dog during his outdoor activities, begin by training the dog in a quiet place of your house and limit each session to 15 minutes.

Once the dog has learned to always obey your verbal commands, you can use simple hand signs.

1. With the dog to your left, hold the retractable leash with the same hand at the level of your waistline and have a treat in your right hand.

2. Keeping the tension on the leash, take a step forward with your right food. Give the dog the order to "stay" when you advance.

3. Maintaining visual contact with the dog, move your left foot and pace it next to the right one.

4. Applying a slight tension with the leash and keeping it over the dog's head, turn his head back. Keep his attention by holding the food reward up high, above his head.

5. Reward the dog for keeping quiet. Now walk slowly around the dog holding the leash over his head. Give him as few orders as possible so you won't confuse him.

6. After several sessions, the dog will sit and will remain quit while he is on his leash. Now unfasten the leash and repeat the previous five steps, congratulating the dog when he accomplishes his job.

7. When the dog sits obediently and remains quiet without a leash, give him a reward. It is important to give the reward to the dog when he is doing what you tell him to, not when he has already moved.

8. Once you have rewarded the dog, free him from the training session by approaching the animal with open arms and saying "good" or "ok".

If your Dog Moves
You are teaching your dog a completely new language, so don't expect him to immediately understand your orders, give him some time. If your dog doesn't sit and remain quiet waiting for a possible food reward, grab him by his collar with your left hand and bend his paws with your right hand.