Sit and stay are the first two skills most owners teach, and for good reason. They give you a way to settle your dog in almost any situation, and they build the focus that every other skill depends on. Taught with rewards instead of force, they stick fast and your dog enjoys the work.
Teaching sit Start in a quiet room with a handful of small, soft treats.
- Hold a treat at your dog's nose, then slowly raise it up and back over their head.
- As their nose follows the treat up, their bottom naturally lowers to the floor.
- The instant they sit, say yes (or click) and give the treat.
- Repeat several times, then add the word sit just before you lure.
Within a few short sessions, fade the treat lure and use only the hand motion, then the word alone. Keep sessions to five minutes so your puppy stays eager.
Teaching stay Stay is really about building duration and distance gradually, so move slowly.
- Ask for a sit, say stay, wait one second, then reward while the dog is still sitting.
- Slowly increase the wait: two seconds, five, ten, always rewarding before they break.
- Once duration is solid, add a tiny bit of distance by taking one step back and returning.
- Finally, add a release word like okay that tells them the stay is over.
The mistakes to avoid Do not repeat the cue over and over; say it once. Do not reward after your dog breaks position, or you teach them that breaking earns treats. And always end on a success, even if that means making the exercise easier.
Keep it short, keep it rewarding, and these two foundations will carry over into everything else you train.