(upbeat beachy music)

[onscreen text] Stay.

[onscreen action] Dog gets off couch and sits on woman's command.

[Narrator] If your dog already knows sit and down,
you can improve his skills by adding a stay.

[dog] What are we working on today?

[onscreen text] The 3 D's:
Distance.
Duration.
Distractions.

[narrator] When teaching stay, you'll be working on the three D's:
distance, duration, and distraction.

You could work on these three things independently,
or during the same session.

[onscreen action] Woman has dog sit, gives him treat, and pets him.

[narrator] When you first start working on stay, begin inside your home
in a small room with minimal distractions.

As the days progress, you'll increase
the distraction factor.

[onscreen action] Woman training dog on leash on fenced porch.

[narrator] When you're ready to graduate to the outside,
start in an enclosed, safe area.

You may also wanna keep your dog on a leash at all times,
for extra control.

[onscreen action] Woman commands dog to sit and stay. 
Woman gives dog a treat.

[narrator] First try getting your dog to sit and wait for five seconds.

[dog] Will sitting still get me a treat?

[narrator] After each successful sit, calmly say yes,
and reward him with a yummy treat.

[onscreen action] Woman petting dog.
Woman commanding dog to stay at increasing distance.
Woman then rewards dog.

[narrator] Now mix things up, and try different ways to increase
your dog's ability to stay in the sit position,
while increasing distractions.
Sit while you take one step back, and return,
say yes, and reward.

Sit while you take two steps back, and return.
Say yes, and reward.
Now try stepping to the left or right.
Say yes, and reward.

Next, increase the amount of time you ask for sit
to about eight seconds.
Say yes, and reward.

Then, increase the amount of distance.
Try sit while you take two steps back, or two steps
to the right, and return.
Say yes, and reward.

[onscreen action] Woman tells dog to stay then turns her back to the dog.

[narrator] Now try sit while you turn your back, step away, and return.
Say yes, and reward.

[dog] I'm not going anywhere.

[onscreen action] Dog gets distracted and walks away when told to stay.
Woman petting dog laying on floor.

[narrator] If you find that any of the previous steps are too much
for your dog, simply break them down into smaller steps.

[onscreen action] Woman telling dog to stay.
Woman rewards dog.

[narrator] For example, if sitting for five seconds is too long,
try three seconds.

[dog] Stay is pretty cool.

[narrator] After you have success for three seconds at least twice,
try five seconds again.

[onscreen action] Woman tries stepping back while dog is staying, but the dog follows her.

[narrator] When working on distance, start with just a step.
If that's too much, and your dog is already popping up,

try just lifting your foot off the ground.
Work your way up to several feet.

Remember, start small, and work your way up.
Over the next several days, slowly increase
the distance, duration, and distractions.

[onscreen text] Practice:
At the front door.
At your car.
In the park.

[narrator] Here are some ideas to keep you going.
Practice at the front door, at your car,
or in the park.

[onscreen text] Try:
Hopping as you move away.
Clapping.
Bouncing a ball.
Carrying a grocery bag.

[narrator] Try hopping as you move away, or clapping your hands,
bouncing a ball, or even carrying a grocery bag.

[onscreen action] Woman praising dog.

[narrator] Remember to praise. I can't emphasize this enough. Let your dog know you're having fun.

[onscreen action] Dog sitting and staying.

[narrator] In just a short time, you should be able
to walk 20 steps away from your dog, while clapping
your hands, and walking toward a door.
Or maybe even better.