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STAY AND WAIT COMMANDS

Two very different commands that you will find you use every day!

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THE STAY


The STAY command is used when YOU will return to your dog.

Once your dog remains in the required position, the sit, down or stand consistently, you are ready to introduce the STAY command.

To begin with only move about one or two paces away from your dog. You are really trying to cement the time your dog will STAY in the given position.


  • Settle your dog in the required position.

  • Move a pace away from your dog giving the verbal command STAY.

  • Turn and face your dog while reinforcing the STAY command verbally.

  • Reinforce the verbal command with a hand signal – show your dog the flat of your hand which signals that the dog should not move.

  • After a few seconds step back to your dog.

  • Praise and treat with a titbit then finish the exercise using your “finishing command”. 

Build up the time that you ask your dog to remain in the STAY position gradually.

Initially the important part of the exercise relating to the STAY is the time that the dog is left in that position, not the distance you move away from them.


Distance can be introduced to the exercise once your dog understands the STAY command.


THE WAIT


The WAIT command is used when YOUR DOG will return to you, usually from the SIT position.

Once your dog remains in the SIT position consistently, you are ready to introduce the WAIT command.

To begin with only move about one or two paces away from your dog.  You are really trying to cement the time your dog will WAIT in the SIT position.


  • Settle your dog in the SIT position.

  • Move a pace away from your dog giving the verbal command WAIT.

  • Turn and face your dog while reinforcing the WAIT command verbally.

  • Reinforce the verbal command with a hand signal – show your dog the flat of your hand which signals that the dog should not move.

  • After a few seconds call your dog to sit in front of you using the COME command.

  • Using the SIT command, sit your dog.

  • Praise and treat with a titbit then finish the exercise using your “finishing command”.

Build up the time that you ask your dog to WAIT gradually.

Initially the important part of the exercise relating to the WAIT is the time that the dog is left in the SIT position, not the distance you move away from them.

Distance can be introduced to the exercise once your dog understands the WAIT command.

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