How to Train a Dog to Sit and Stay

Educating your canine to sit and stay is significant for their welfare. You do not want your pup to wander off when you are outside talking to a neighbor or have them be in any situation where you could turn around, and they are no longer there.

It is best to train your dog to sit and stay when there are no distractions. You can use treats as a positive reinforcement when your pup obeys certain commands. Gradually increase the time your dog spends sitting and staying until they can do it for some time without getting up. 

Training your pup to sit and stay takes time. If you want to understand more regarding how to train your dog to sit and stay, check out this pawsome article!

Why You Should Train Your Dog to Sit

It is important to coach your dog to sit. You rarely need a professional trainer to teach a dog to sit and stay. You can teach your dog the command by using treats and constructive emphasis. There are key reasons why the sit and stay command is so important for your dog to learn:

It Protects Your Dog’s Safety

Your pup must be taught to sit and stay for their safety. The sit and stay command can keep your pup from getting out from their leash and running onto the road and can keep your pup from getting into a fight with another animal. Some other instances that can be detrimental to your dog if they do not know this command include:

• Risk of impacting other dogs
• Risk of eating something toxic
• Risk of harming a human
• Risk of defecating in an inappropriate area

All these scenarios can occur if your pup somehow gets out of their leash and they do not know the sit and stay command. As long as your dog knows how to obey this command, it can keep them out of trouble.

It is Convenient for You

Teaching your dog how to sit and stay will make your life much easier. For example, you may be cleaning your home and you do not want your pup to walk on the freshly mopped, wet floor. You could also be doing something where you need to leave the door open and do not want your dog running outside. These situations are where the sit-and-stay command comes in handy.

It Teaches Your Dog to Have Manners

Everyone has been in a spot where they go to someone’s house, and their dog is overly excited. Some dogs can be intimidating and jump up on you, possibly knocking you down. If you teach your pup the sit and stay command, your dog will learn to respect others and not get over one of your guests when they visit. A dog who knows to sit and stay will be seen as a good boy or girl.

How to Teach Your Pup to Sit

Untrained dogs can be difficult because they tend not to be well-behaved. You do not want your pup to be on the naughty list. If you educate your dog how to sit and stay, it can help your dog to improve their behavior. The following includes the first steps of how to train your pup to sit and stay:

• Add distractions once your dog understands the command
• Cut treats into bite-sized nibbles
• Have a toy handy as a lesser-value treat
• Show your dog the treats
• Start to train your pup where there is little distraction

You want your dog to know the treats are there but do not give them the treats yet. Make use of them as an incentive for good behavior and listening. Command your dog to sit while using an authoritative tone. When your pup sits, say “stay” and give them a nibble.

How to Take the Training Further

When your canine is in the sit position, have them hold it for ten seconds before telling them to release. Reward with the toy and give your pup praise and pets, complete with a “good boy” or “good girl.” You want them to know that they did something extraordinary! Rewarding with the lesser value toy when your dog releases, teaches them that they only get treats when they sit and stay. To constructively train your pup, remember the following:

• Do not offer treats if your pup leaves the sitting position
• Give your dog extra treats for extra-long sits
• Keep practicing and gradually increase the time your dog sits
• Make sit and stay a part of your daily routine, so they will retain what they learn
• Your dog will come to understand that they will be given treats for sitting

Practice and lengthen the duration of the sit and stay command before you add distance. Your dog should be able to hold their stay for at least a minute or longer at this point. Try to keep practicing from farther distances. The end goal is that your pup maintains their sit and stay position when no treats are visible but still given to them intermittently, so they associate sitting with rewards.

How to Teach Your Dog to Stay on Command

Puppies can be taught to stay for some time when they are young. When your dog learns to sit on command every time they are asked to do so, they can begin to learn more complex concepts, such as stay. When you teach your dog to stay, you are teaching them first not to move, and second, not to move just because you move. When teaching your dog to stay, remember the following:

• A leash and head halter can help with more extended sit and stays
• Be careful not to confuse them by rewarding them for getting up
• Gradually move away and expand the duration of the stay
• If your pup stays, give them a reward
• Tell your dog to stay and then take a step back

The ultimate goal is to get them to sit, stay, and remain in position, even if you have left the room. You want to practice by being in the other room, and after a while, come back and give them the release command.

When your dog learns the stay command better, you may be able to open the front door and tell your dog to stay so they do not bolt right out the door.

Start Practicing in Different Places

When you are comfortable that your dog is responding to your commands, take them out to practice. Try having your pup sit in various rooms in the house, outside the home, or during a walk. Take them out, test their skills while they are leashed, and then unleash them when they prove themselves.

Once your pup learns the sit-stay command, you can start to phase out treats and reward them with things like a walk outside or giving them pets when they sit. You may want to practice when playing fetch or other games while you are with your pup at the park. Give your dog a chance to prove themselves, and they will make you proud.

Conclusion

Teaching your dog to sit and stay is a process, and you need to be patient with your pup while they are learning something new. The most important reason to teach your dog to sit and stay is for their own safety, and part of being a pet parent is to protect your fur baby from harm.

For pet parents in the Plymouth Meeting, PA area, The Village Vets is available to serve you and your pets. Call us today at (484) 820-1700 or make an appointment!