2torial #0933:
Learn2 Train Your Dog to Sit and Stay (continued)

Practice the "stay" hand signal

Once you've firmly established the sit command, it's time to start teaching the dog to stay. But first you need to get the hand signal down. The "stay" hand signal is the most important component of the stay command, because it's the most immediately recognizable signal to the dog. Practice it a few times before using it on your dog.

The stay hand signal is a blocking hand motion. Bring your hand around in an abrupt sweeping motion; your palm should stop directly in front of where the dog's nose would be without touching it, and your fingers should be outstretched. Because your dog's vision will be blocked, it will take this motion to mean "stay still" right away. Practice this signal a few times before you try it with your dog. You should only give the hand signal once for each time you say, "Stay."