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Updated 2026-09-29

Building a reliable stay

Teach the dog to hold a position until released, building duration, distance and distraction separately.

Dogs3–5 minutes, once or twice daily
Illustrative cover: teaching a solid stay

Illustrative cover using relevant category imagery; it does not depict the exact subject.

Four-stage reward-based training progression: set up, mark, reward and progress
Set up an easy success, mark the wanted choice, reward promptly and add only one small challenge at a time.

Step by step

  1. Step 1

    Start with one second

    Cue sit, wait one second, mark and reward in position, then release. Short and successful beats long and broken.

  2. Step 2

    Build duration first

    Add a second or two at a time, returning to reward in position. If the dog breaks, the step was too big.

  3. Step 3

    Add distance separately

    Once the dog holds 15–20 seconds, take one step back and return. Build steps gradually, always returning to reward.

  4. Step 4

    Add distractions last

    Practise near mild distractions — a toy on the floor, a person walking past — only when duration and distance are solid.

  5. Step 5

    Use the release word every time

    The stay ends only on 'free'. Never call a dog out of a stay while training it.

Troubleshooting

  • Breaking early means the criteria rose too fast — drop back to the last easy level.
  • Reward in position; rewarding after the release teaches the dog the release is the good part.

When to progress or pause

  1. Your target is: Teach the dog to hold a position until released, building duration, distance and distraction separately. Observe voluntary participation and relaxed movement, not simply completion under restraint.
  2. Use the listed session guidance (3–5 minutes, once or twice daily) as a starting point, not a requirement to continue when the animal is tired. Finish with an achievable repetition.
  3. Change one challenge at a time: location, distraction, distance or duration. If performance deteriorates, return to an easier successful version rather than escalating pressure.
  4. Sudden refusal, pain, panic or aggression warrants professional assessment. Do not withhold essential food or force handling to obtain compliance.

Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.

Guidance libraries and further reading

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