Sit and Stay

The commands “Sit” and “Stay” form the basis of responsible pet ownership and are useful forms of control during outdoor activity. Begin training in a quiet indoor area, such as a hallway, and limit each session to 15 minutes. Once your dog has learned to respond consistently to your word commands, you will be able to advance to using simple hand signals.

• Hold the telescoped lead in your left hand and a treat in your right. As the dog sits, concentrating on the treat, command it to “Sit”.

• Maintaining tension on the lead, step forward with your right foot. Give the “Stay” command as you move forward.

• Move your left foot to join your right foot, remembering to keep gentle eye contact with the dog at all times.

• Exerting light pressure on the lead, held over the dog’s head, held over the dog’s head, turn to face the dog. Keep its attention by holding the food up high.

• Reward the dog for staying. Now slowly walk around the dog, holding the lead above its head. Issue as few commands as possible, so that you do not confuse the dog.

• After several sessions, the dog should sit and stay while on the lead. Now drop the lead and repeat each of the previous five steps, always praising the dog for good behavior.

• When the dog sits and stays with the lead dropped, give it the treat. Reward the dog while on the lead. Now drop the lead and repeat each of the previous five steps, always praising the dog for good behavior.

• When the dog sits and stays with the lead dropped, give it the treat. Reward the dog while it is doing what it is told, not afterwards. End the training by opening your arms and saying “OK”.

Problem solving

Greedy dog

Some dogs are very food-orient. If this is the case with yours, you may find that using food in the stay is too tempting. You will need to judge when and when not to let the dog know that you have a treat.

If the dog moves

You are teaching your dog a completely new language. Do not expect it to understand the commands immediately. If the dog moves, hold it by the collar with your left hand and tuck its bottom down with your right.

NEW COMPLETE DOG TRAINING MANUAL, Dr. Bruce Fogle