“Stay”
When your puppy has mastered the “Sit” and “Down” commands, you can start working on the “Stay” command. Put your Lab in a sit or down position. Standing next to or in front of him, place your hand in front of his face, palm up. Say “Stay” (in a firm, less high-pitched tone of voice than the one you use for other commands) and back up just a few inches. Wait a couple of seconds and say “Good stay!” and give him a treat. Then give a release word, such as “Okay,” meaning that it's all right for him to move. If he moves before you release him, simply put him back in place and start over.
Practice Daily
Schedule a training session for the “Stay” command a few times each day. It's a good idea to practice this command when your puppy is already tired or calm. Try it after a meal, walk, or playtime.
Gradually increase the length of time you ask your dog to stay by just a few seconds — work up to ten seconds, fifteen seconds, thirty seconds, and so on. Start increasing the distance you move away from him as well. Remember, if he breaks the stay, put him back where he was and start over. It's not necessary to scold him.
Ignoring a dog's incorrect response is a form of negative reinforcement. Dogs like attention, so taking it away is a pain-free method of correction. It's much more effective than repeating a command five or six times in an increasingly louder tone of voice.
Add Distractions
When your Lab has established a good understanding of stay, start adding some distractions to test his mastery of the command. Drop your keys, clap your hands, ask someone else to walk by him. Praise him (“Good stay!”) and give a treat whenever he ignores the distractions and stays in position. If he breaks the stay, put him back in place and start over.
Gradually increase the level of distractions by dropping a treat or tennis ball near him, having someone ring the doorbell, or having someone walk another dog beside him. Practice indoors and outdoors so he'll encounter different types of distractions that aren't set up by you (cars driving by, kids playing next door). Eventually your dog should remain in position until you release him — whether that's ten minutes or an hour later.
He should also stay even if you're not in the room. When you're sure that his knowledge of the “Stay” command is solid, start leaving the room after giving the command. It's best if you have someone else in the room who can put the dog back in place if he breaks his stay to follow you. Wait thirty seconds, and then go back and praise him for staying. Gradually increase the length of time you're out of the room before returning, then have your assistant introduce distractions while you're out of the room.
Whatever command you're working on, pay attention to how your dog is progressing. If he doesn't respond or frequently breaks the command, don't hesitate to go back a few steps in training to a point where he was being successful. Work from there to improve his mastery of the command.
