Top 6 Tips on How to Teach a Dog to Stay

Living with a pet dog is one of the most rewarding experiences anyone can enjoy in life, but training your canine can be intimidating. One of the most basic yet important commands a dog can learn is to “stay” — to stop what they’re doing and remain still until you tell them otherwise. It’s a command that must be clearly defined for your dog to obey properly, but once they know it inside and out, it can become an essential aspect of their behavior. Let’s learn how to teach a dog to stay.

How to Teach a Dog to Stay

1. Limit Distractions

Before you get started, you’ll need to eliminate some of your dog’s distraction triggers. That means putting away any toys and eliminating any potential visual cues, so you might want to close the blinds, so your dog doesn't see any birds or squirrels scurrying by. Create a calm and quiet environment and use positive tones when you speak. Much like when you house train your dog, never yell or display anger toward your dog — negative reinforcement is no good for either of you.

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2. Start With Hand Motions and a Lure

When you’re training your dog to stay, you should start by using simple hand motions. If you already have a gesture that prompts them to sit, that’s a great starting line. Get some of your pup’s favorite treats — maybe something special, like hot dog pieces or cheese — and use them as a lure to stay still. Keep the treat mostly concealed in your hand, and only reward the dog after they have successfully stayed still for the desired duration.

3. Add in a Verbal Command

Now that your dog has a basic idea of what “stay” means, introduce your verbal commands — one to start the action and another to release. Repeat the process from step two but using the voice command stay along with the accompanying hand gesture.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Make sure to use positive reinforcement to promote the best results. Reward your pup with their delicious treat, give them a nice head rub, and remind them that they are a “good dog.” This reinforcement will create a positive association with the act of “staying,” and once they have passed their training, they will be eager to please you by properly performing the act again.

5. Slowly Extend Duration

Repeat the process of commanding the dog to sit but increase the duration incrementally. Use the lure to keep them in place and step away slowly, one step at a time. Reward your pup after each time they successfully stay for the proper length of time, increasing the length of time gradually up to at least 15 seconds.

6. Practice in Different Areas

Now that your dog has learned the basics of staying, it’s time to change their environment to truly put them to the test. Try it out in different rooms, in the yard, out on the sidewalk, or at a friend’s home. Reinforce their behavior to ignore distractions with small training treats and increase the challenge as you go forward, incorporating more stimuli. After plenty of practice, your dog will be able to stay, making you and your dog’s daily lives easier and more orderly.

How Long Does It Take to Train a Dog to Stay?

If you choose to train your dog to stay without professional dog training assistance, it shouldn’t take too long. Spend time working on the command a couple of days a week, monitor your pup’s progress, and increase their durations and distractions. It should only take you no more than four to eight weeks of routine training time.

What Commands Should I Teach My Dog First?

If you’re training a brand-new puppy for the first time, you’ll need to practice patience as you teach them the basic dog training commands. Start by teaching your pup to “come” to you, then incorporate the “sit” command and action. These two commands are the bedrock of good canine behavior and establish your authority as the dog’s “master.” It’s also important to teach your dog “no” and some form of “leave it” to keep them from getting into trouble.

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