Stay Exercises

Impulse Control (Sit-Stay)

Down-Stay

Once your dog can hold a reliable duration sit- or down-stay for 30-60 seconds, it's time to start adding in distractions!
Give the below exercise a try:

Impulse Control pt. 2 (Distracted Sit-Stay)

Distraction-Proofing the Down Stay

Can you walk in a circle around your dog while they hold their stay? Can you add clapping, skipping, jumping, sprinting? What about bending over to tie your shoe? 

Will your dog continue to hold their stay if you bounce a tennis ball, squeak a toy, or drop a toy on the ground? Continuing adding in all the distractions you can think of! Here's our Distractions Chart if you need some ideas! 

Then, start to see if you can practice your stays OUTSIDE! In your front yard, backyard, quiet park - building up to busier and busier places. When starting in a new environment, go back a few steps and reduce your distance and duration requirements until your dog is successful.