Proofing stay with your dog using a long lead is an important skill to teach your puppy. Stay is a fundamental cue that helps keep your dog safe and well-behaved in various situations. By proofing the stay command with the use of a long lead, you can gradually increase distractions and distance, ensuring that your dog maintains the stay even when tempted by something enticing.
The reason I recommend using a long lead when teaching stay is to keep your pup safe from running off but also giving you some extra space for building up distance and time. When teaching your dog to stay using a long lead, start in a low-distraction environment such as your backyard or a quiet park. If your dog is still distracted, work in an empty parking lot.
Attach the long lead to your dog's collar or harness, and step a short distance away. Use a hand signal or verbal cue to ask your dog to stay, and maintain eye contact with them. If your dog starts to move towards you, gently guide them back into the stay position using the lead. Start again but make it easier (shorter duration or distance). Praise and reward your dog when they successfully maintain the stay, gradually increasing the distance and duration as they become more comfortable.
As your dog becomes proficient in the stay command with the long lead in a low-distraction environment, it's time to introduce distractions. Start with mild distractions such as tossing a toy or having another person walk by. If your dog remains in the stay, reward them generously. If they break the stay, calmly guide them back into position and try again. Continue to increase the difficulty of the distractions as your dog becomes more reliable. Remember to always reward your dog for a successful stay, reinforcing the behavior you want to see.
Stay is a fundamental cue that can help to keep your dog secure, focused and well-behaved in various situations. By proofing the stay command with the use of a long lead, you can gradually increase distractions and distance, ensuring that your dog maintains the stay, even when tempted by something.
The reason I recommend using a long lead when teaching stay is to keep your pup safe from running off but also giving you some extra space for building up distance and time. When teaching your dog to stay using a long lead, start in a low-distraction environment such as your backyard or a quiet park. If your dog is still distracted, work in an empty parking lot.
To proof (test) your dog's stay:
Attach the long lead to your dog's collar or harness, and step a short distance away. Use a hand signal or verbal cue to ask your dog to stay, and maintain eye contact with them. If your dog starts to move towards you, gently guide them back into the stay position using the lead. Start again but make it easier (shorter duration or distance). Praise and reward your dog when they successfully maintain the stay, gradually increasing the distance and duration as they become more comfortable.
As your dog becomes proficient in the stay command with the long lead in a low-distraction environment, it's time to introduce distractions. Start with mild distractions such as tossing a toy or having another person walk by. If your dog remains in the stay, reward them generously. If they break the stay, calmly guide them back into position and try again.
Continue to increase the difficulty of the distractions as your dog becomes more reliable.
To keep a dog from bolting out the front door, I like to work at the front door, securing the long lead inside of a closet or by having someone hold onto it. This way you can work hands-free asking your dog to stay while you open the door, then step out and even walk away. If your dog struggles, you are asking too much and need to slow down. Stay should be trained gradually and kindly.
Remember to always reward your dog for a successful stay, reinforcing the behavior you want to see.