Again, as with the down command, don’t ask your dog to sit and stay on a ruff surface. I wouldn’t like to would you?

Find a comfortable or at least even surface to avoid fidgeting and without distractions for his lesson. Get him to sit for you. Purposely hold his attention while counting to 2 or 3. Click and treat. Good Dog.

Repeat this process, but gradually increasing the seconds by 1 or 2 before clicking and treating again. The purpose of this is to keep building up the time between clicks but not too quick while he’s learning; don’t mention the word “stay” just yet.

When you have built up to about 20 to 30 seconds between clicks (always clicking and treating), go ahead and tell him what he is doing correctly “Stay”. To reinforce what you are saying you can also use a hand signal when you say it.

When you have reached this point, try varying the times between clicks, 5 seconds, 7 then 2 seconds etc. so your dog won’t get used to any distance between the clicks. After you have both reached this point and he knows exactly what he is doing right, it’s time for the “distance” part.

When he can sit for around 30 seconds, start to move only one or two steps either to the front or side while he remains sat. Continue to tell him how great he’s doing while you’re doing this. Only move away from him for a couple of seconds to begin with before you return. If he doesn't move, click and treat; if he doesn’t, just take a half or one step.

It takes a little longer, but if you want to, and to avoid any monotony you can always give him a signal, such as come to you at any time, provided he’s learned the basics and you can move a little away from him. He’ll know he’s done a good job.

The trick with this initially is, try to get back to your original position before giving your dog time to move.

As you repeat this exercise, gradually increase both time and distance you are away from your dog in very small steps. Returning to him initially straight away to click and treat. But don’t increase them both together at first as he may become confused. While you are away from him, try to keep subtly moving so he doesn’t think he should come to you.

When you are a few feet away from him or on the other side of the room, and he stays, then increase the time gradually in seconds before you return to click and treat. When he is able to hold his position comfortably, gradually increase the time before you click from your distance away from him.

During this training, never get tempted to try and see how long your dog will stay for. This is just asking for disappointment. He’ll just get bored, loose interest, follow you or just walk off. Guide him for him to do it correctly with patience, repetition and plenty of rewards.

At first, it may be a bit frustrating for you if your dog keeps on getting up. Don’t forget to do this at his pace and not yours. Whenever we do something new, it had to be learned and this takes time. Your dog is no different.

Remember, always be more than patient,

and

You guessed it !..always, always reward for doing the exercise correctly. Click and treat. Good Dog. Well done.

As with all training, your dog needs to learn how to do as you ask in different scenarios or in different places with their own distractions. If at home, add as many distractions as you can. If you are somewhere like the park, these come with their own distractions, and as I mentioned in the previous sessions, always start from step one with each different place you’re both in.

But if he can easily stay when you do it at home for 10 seconds, when you’re up the park or out anywhere, start his stay command at 5 seconds or whatever you know he can comfortably do.

Well done to both of you for your patience.