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The Puppy Guide >> Puppy Training >> Obedience Training >> Sit and Stay
Sit and Stay
Sit
This should be one of the first commands you teach your puppy as it is used with a lot of other commands. For example you need to get your puppy to 'sit' to be able to 'stay' or give you his 'paw'. It is also a good idea to get into the habit of getting your puppy to sit for his food, sit before a door is opened and before a treat is given for example.
To get your puppy to sit you need to take a treat and close your hand around it. Hold it in front and slightly above your puppy's nose so that he has to look up to see it. He may try to get the treat, but keep it firmly in your hand. He should try to work out how to get the treat and will eventually sit. As he sits use the command 'sit' firmly, then give the treat and praise him. Get another treat and repeat, each time saying 'sit' as your puppy sits, not before and not after; timing is crucial. Your puppy should learn to associate the word 'sit' with the action.
After a few days of regular short training sessions you should move on to the next stage, which is to hold the treat as above, then give the command 'sit'. As soon as your puppy sits, give the treat and lots of praise.
Stay
Firstly get your puppy to 'sit'. With a treat in your hand move it away slightly and put your empty hand up with your palm out, like a 'stop' sign. Say 'stay' firmly, then give the treat and praise your puppy. If he moves, say 'uh-oh', or 'no', and start again from getting him to sit.
Once your puppy will stay still with you moving your hand away you can start to move it further away. Next take a few steps back, and so on. Do this very gradually, over a number of days. Correct your puppy with 'uh-oh' or similar if he gets it wrong and go back to the beginning of the exercise.
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