Teaching your dog to stay: a step-by-step guide
Summary: Learn how to teach your dog the "stay" command with this detailed guide. Step-by-step instructions cover everything from starting with "sit" to building endurance, teaching your dog to stay in place, and handling distractions. Strengthen your role as leader and bond with your dog through patience and consistent training.
The “stay” command is one of the most challenging yet rewarding skills to teach your dog. It requires patience, consistency, and clear communication. When your dog masters “stay,” they’ll learn to override their instincts to follow you, think critically, and hold their position until you release them.
Let’s break this process into achievable steps, starting with the “sit” position before progressing to “down.”
Why Teach “Stay”?
Keeps your dog safe in situations where staying put is essential, such as near busy roads, outside of shops or cafes, near snakes or livestock, emergencies, or during vet visits.
Builds impulse control, helping your dog remain calm and focused even when they’re excited, fearful, or distracted.
Reinforces your dog’s ability to think and act based on your guidance rather than instinct.
Strengthens your leadership role in the pack and deepens your bond.
Allows you to move in any direction and the dog will remain in position until released.
What You’ll Need
Treats: High-value rewards like cooked chicken, cheese, or specialised dog treats. These should be used exclusively for training.
Quiet space: Start in a low-distraction area where your dog feels safe.
Patience: Teaching “stay” takes time and consistency. Celebrate small victories along the way.
I prefer to teach basic groundwork without a lead as I am teaching the dog to think for themselves, to use their body to follow my voice and body language. I do not want to use external force or pressure. They choose to do it.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start in the “sit” position
Position yourself first. Stand directly in front of your dog, with their eyes on you. They should be looking up. Be intentional with your body language, posture, and energy.
Begin with your dog in a stable “sit” position. Ensure they’re focused on you by using the two-eyes technique: bring a treat to your face and wait for eye contact. When both eyes are on you, praise them softly “Good focus”.
Once they’re calm and focused, you’re ready to introduce “stay.”
Introduce the “stay” command
Standing directly in front of your dog hold your open palm near the front of their face, like a stop signal, and say “stay” in a calm, clear voice.
Pause for a moment to let them process the command before moving.
Take a single step back
Take one large step backwards while maintaining eye contact. Do this deliberately and slowly hold the space you have created for 3 seconds. Use your energy and body language to indicate to your dog to stay.
If your dog holds their position, step back toward them, praise with “Good stay,” and reward immediately with a treat. Timing is everything so be sure to treat without delay. We are connecting the idea that not breaking and holding that command is good.
Add a second step
Repeat the process, use your voice and hand signal, but now take two steps back. Move slowly and deliberately, watching your dog for signs of breaking the position. Hold the space for 3-5 seconds.
If they remain in place, step back toward them, mark the behaviour with praise “Good stay”, and reward them.
If your dog moves, calmly reset them in the “sit” position and start again with a shorter distance. They are fighting their instinct to be with you or follow your command.
Gradually increase distance
Over several repetitions, continue to increase the number of steps backward. Always return to your dog to reward them while they remain in place.
Practice until you can step 5–10 large paces back without them breaking their sit position.
It may take many sessions over a long period for your dog to become accustomed to this command. Work in short blocks. Time and repetition yield the result.
Once you have this groundwork you can experiment with even greater distances but ensure that you are always directly in front of your dog. You should never be hidden, even partially, from your dog as this will create an anxiety response at this early stage of training.
Move around your dog
Once your dog reliably holds their sit position while you move backward, begin moving laterally, left and then right.
Use your voice, “stay” and stop hand signal near their face then take one large step to the left, then step back in front of them, maintaining eye contact and reward for holding the position.
Gradually add more steps to the left until you are again 5-10 large paces away from your dog. Each time they hold the position they are rewarded.
Repeat the same approach but to the right. Use your voice and hand signal for “stay” and take one step to the right side, then step back in front of them, maintaining eye contact and reward.
Gradually add more steps to the right until you are again 5-10 large paces away from your dog. Each time they hold the position they are rewarded.
It may be that your dog performs better on one side. They may have a hearing or sight impediment on the weaker side or feel more vulnerable on that side. Simply persist and be patient.
Once you have mastered back, left, and right you want to walk in a circle around your dog. In this exercise you will briefly be out of comfortable sight for your dog.
Use the same technique setting your dog in the sit position. Give the voice and hand command for “stay” take 4-5 steps away from your dog and walk around them in a slow circle. Recall your dog’s best side - left or right - and commence walking in the direction of their best side in a full circle around the dog. Be smooth and deliberate with your movement. If they hold their position give praise and reward. If they break, calmly reset and try again.
Get to the point where you can do a wide circle around your dog without breaking regardless if you move clockwise or counterclockwise to your dog’s position.
Then get to the point you can do several wide circles without your dog breaking.
Progress to “down” position
After mastering “stay” in the “sit” position, teach it from “down.” Begin with the same steps: “stay” command, single step back, and return to reward. The “down” position is more vulnerable for your dog so start at the very beginning with one step back not where you anticipate they are comfy. Eveything we do is to build trust.
Gradually build distance and movement as you did with “sit.”
Introduce out-of-sight stays
Once your dog reliably stays with you in sight, begin brief out-of-sight stays. Always start with the sit position as this is what they will have fully mastered and will be confident in doing. Give the hand and voice commands for “stay” and stepping behind a door or around a corner for 3 seconds, then return to reward.
Gradually increase the time out of sight in a sit position, ensuring they’re comfortable and confident at each stage. Always reward and praise.
When they have their confidence in being in the sit position while you are out of sight move to repeating the process in the down position.
Tips For Success
Keep sessions short: Train in 5–10 minute blocks to avoid fatigue or frustration. This will take many sessions over time to accomplish. Take your time to ensure your dog is confident at every step.
Be consistent: Always use the same hand signal and verbal commands for “sit”, “down’ and “stay”.
Reward holding the position: Only reward your dog while they’re still in the position you’ve set. Never reward or pet after they break or move.
Avoid frustration: If your dog struggles, return to a simpler step or shorter duration.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Dog breaks the stay: If your dog moves before being released, calmly reset them and reduce the time, distance, or distractions.
Dog gets anxious: Ensure the environment feels safe and build confidence by starting with very short stays.
Dog loses focus: Work in a distraction-free area and use high-value treats to maintain attention. Observe your dog to work out the times of day your dog is most attentive to you and receptive for training. If you have a young dog reduce the time of each session to 3-5 minutes.
Celebrate Progress
Teaching “stay” is more than just a command—it’s a valuable skill that builds trust, communication, and impulse control. By taking deliberate steps, moving slowly, and consistently rewarding success, you’ll help your dog develop the confidence to stay in place no matter the situation.
Enjoy the process, and don’t forget to celebrate each milestone with your dog.
