Sit is the gateway command — once your dog understands "do a thing, get a reward," everything else clicks faster. Stay builds impulse control, which is the most important life skill a dog can have.
Teaching Sit (Lure Method)
- Hold a treat at your dog's nose level.
- Slowly move it up and slightly back over their head.
- Their nose follows the treat up, their butt goes down naturally.
- The instant their butt touches the ground: "Yes!" + treat.
- Repeat 10 times. Most dogs get this in one session.
Fading the Lure
After 10-15 successful lure reps:
- Do the same hand motion but with an empty hand.
- When they sit: "Yes!" + treat from your other hand or treat pouch.
- Now add the verbal cue: say "Sit" just before your hand signal.
- Within a few days, you can say "Sit" without any hand motion.
Teaching Stay
- Ask your dog to Sit.
- Hold your palm out (stop signal) and say "Stay."
- Wait one second. "Yes!" + treat while they're still sitting.
- Release with "Okay!" or "Free!" — this tells them stay is over.
- Gradually increase duration: 2 seconds, 5, 10, 30.
- Only add distance AFTER they can hold for 30 seconds at close range.
Common mistake:
Don't say "Stay, stay, stay" repeatedly. Say it once. If they break, calmly reset them and make it easier. Repeating the command teaches them it takes 3 "stays" before they need to listen.