5 Secrets to Stay Training Success

Congratulations on embarking on the journey of teaching your dog the invaluable skill of
staying! With patience, consistency, and the following secrets to success, you’ll soon have a pup
who can hold a stay like a pro:
1. Begin training sessions with short durations and minimal distractions. Set your
dog up for success by asking for a stay of just a few seconds before gradually increasing the
time. Starting small builds your dog’s confidence and sets a solid foundation for success.

2. Proof Every Time You Practice: Consistently proof your dog’s stay in various environments
and situations. Practice indoors, outdoors, with distractions, and from different distances. By
proofing the stay each time you practice, you reinforce the behavior and ensure reliability in
any scenario. Can your dog stay while you bounce a ball?

3. Achieve and Maintain Body Independence: Teach your dog to stay with body independence,
meaning they maintain the stay position even when you move away or change positions. This
enhances their understanding of the cue and promotes a stronger, more reliable stay.

4. Adjust Difficulty If Your Dog Fails: If your dog struggles or fails to maintain the stay, adjust
the difficulty level by making the task easier. This could mean reducing the duration,
increasing the distance between you and your dog, or decreasing the level of distraction. Setting
your dog up for success increases their confidence and motivation.

5. Reward Your Dog in Position: Reward your dog while they’re in the stay position to positively
reinforce the desired behavior. Use treats delivering to mouth while they are holding the stay,
to let them know they’re doing a great job. Rewarding your dog while they stay encouragesorcement dog training
them to hold the position longer and strengthens their understanding of the cue.

Remember to have fun during training sessions! Keeping the atmosphere positive and enjoyable
for both you and your dog makes the learning process more engaging and the results more
rewarding.

Please don’t hesitate if you need help training your dog’s stay, we are waiting for you to contact
us!
LoveDogs@CourteousCanine.com