Sit-Stay with distractions
Prerequisites:  All Basic Obedience Skills, Stay

1.  Initially, start small:  A few steps to either side of the dog.  Keep working until you can complete a circle around your dog in either direction and the dog does not break the stay.  

If the dog breaks, correct it!

Once you can circle your dog without it breaking the stay, begin a new pattern:  Each time you return to the dog, circle it closely in a counter clockwise direction (passing the dog's right, going behind it, and ending up in the Safety Zone position).

Here's some video of the beginning steps:  https://youtu.be/WmPv4yw8Llo

2.  Add some more interesting movements:  Jumping up and down.  Kneeling in front of your dog.  

If the dog excels at this, I hereby give you permission to stop just short of cruelty with the distractions you offer during the sit-stay exercises!  

Some more video of gradual progression:  https://youtu.be/3eUCI6GrwI8

3.  Throw balls, let other dogs run by, introduce cats, throw treats, run the vacuum cleaner, open and close doors, flip some burgers on the grill…anything you can think of that does not actually 'call' the dog away from the position.

4.  Finally…remember to stay within 6 ft. of the dog and keep the leash on for quick corrections if the dog breaks. Do NOT repeat the sit or stay commands!  

This week is NOT about how far away you can get from your dog!

Practice the above exercises until you cannot tempt the dog to break a stay for any distraction.

Even more video of gradual progression:  https://youtu.be/ipR6lseBx7g

Extra tips:

Other distractions to try as your dog gets harder and harder to distract:

- Attach 2 leashes and reach in and remove one of them while the dog is in the stay.  If he/she breaks, you're still attached - correct the dog for breaking.

- The doorbell is a major trigger for many dogs.  Don't hesitate to practice sit-stays with the tough distraction, but be sure to set it up so that you are no further than 6 feet away, and can correct any broken stays.

- Sit-stays should be distraction-proofed outside of the home, too:  Try putting your dog in a sit-stay in the car, and you step away (still holding the leash).  

Get creative!

Like with all new skills, be sure you start training in a COLD zone and don't forget to use your Goldilocks Rule .