sitsstays

Sitsstays, commonly referred to as sit-stays in dog training, is a foundational obedience exercise in which a dog sits and remains in place until released. The goal is to develop impulse control, focus, and reliability in everyday situations such as at doorways, around visitors, or when distractions are present. The exercise can be practiced with a leash or off-leash as the dog progresses.

How to teach sit-stay:

- Have the dog sit in a calm, focused state.

- Give a clear sit cue and mark the moment of seating.

- Introduce the stay cue with a hand signal and a brief pause.

- Reward the dog while it remains seated, gradually extending the duration.

- Increase distance and distractions gradually, then use a release cue to end the stay.

Progression and variations:

After mastering a basic sit-stay on a leash, practice off-leash and from different positions. Increase distance, duration, and external distractions (doorbell, visitors). Variations include sit-stay with the trainer moving away, or performing the stay with the dog facing a different direction, to build robust impulse control in real-world settings.

Tips and common issues:

Use high-value treats and short, frequent sessions. Avoid punitive corrections for breaks; instead reset and try again with closer proximity or additional reinforcement. If the dog creeps forward or lies down, shorten the duration and reinforce with more frequent rewards and clearer release timing. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to long-term reliability.

See also: dog obedience, impulse control training, release cues.