We as humans have a unique bond with our dogs and it’s our duty to make sure we keep them as safe as possible. In order to accomplish this, we need to train the dog properly and teaching a dog to stay is a critical part of this training as it could keep your dog from running headlong into a dangerous situation.

If your dog is misbehaving, the best solution is to assert your alpha status. There are several methods to do this, but one of the most common is frequently telling your dog to “stay.” When you give your dog the command to “stay,” they should not move even when you do. Unfortunately, this is the opposite of what usually happens when this command is said.

A good first move is to train the dog to “sit” when told to do so. This is a key part of training and should be the basic command that any dog knows before you try to teach him anything else.

Then with the pup, teen, or adult dog in the sit, I thrust a hand in the dog’s direction, palm first, fingers raised, giving the voice command to ’stay!’ Not shouting, just distinct and audible over other noises. Hand motions should be exact and unique to a certain command/behavior. Take a step back.

Chances are that the dog will try to follow you, so do the hand gesture for sit and stay again. If the dog still doesn’t obey, move an attractive treat or toy over the dog’s head. It should be visible by the dog but only if his chin is facing upward. The dog may even turn around. Keep doing this until your dog obeys, and then let him know with warm praise. Repeat the process.

Eventually your dog will “get it” and will stay, unfortunately your work is not done at this point. The next step in teaching a dog to stay is to get him to stay as you move further and further away. So, repeat the stay command and take a few steps away from him. Most of the time, the farther away you get the less obedient they will be. Remember, you are their master and they want to follow you.

One technique for getting past this is to strap the dog to a collar and long leash or rope. Wrap the leash around a tree or post several feet behind the dog and hold it as you face him or her. As the dog stands and steps forward, pull the rope and use the voice command and hand gesture. Don’t tug so hard that you throw the dog out of balance. Your purpose is to restrain, not punish the dog. A partner can be used instead of a tree, but only as a secondary choice because dogs might get confused about which person to obey.

Some dogs will lie down during the exercise, more so as you back away a few feet. You might have to train an ‘up’-’sit’ combo before mastering ’stay’. Breeds and individual dogs may vary in how long - how many repeats over how many days - it takes to consistently obey, but nearly all pick it up eventually.

Have your dog stay for several seconds. Once this has been completed, tell your dog to “come” using a different tone and a unique hand gesture. Make sure that the gesture for “come” is something that you will be able to do without difficulty but that you will never accidentally do during everyday activities. Any gestures that you use for commands should be unique for each type of behavior you are looking for and should just be used when seeking these behaviors from your dog.

One thing you need to do when teaching a dog to stay his to remember to praise him generously when he exhibit’s the desired behavior. Repeat the exercise making the dog stay longer as he learns. If the dog stays when you go back into the house, that means you have succeeded completely. Remember to release him after a minute.

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