Start with 'sit' first, then add 'stay' after your puppy masters the sitting position reliably for 3-5 seconds. Most puppies can learn a basic sit in 2-3 training sessions, but stay requires more patience since it goes against their natural curiosity and energy.
Teaching the Sit Command First
I always start new puppy owners with sit because it's the foundation for literally every other command. Here's my tried-and-tested method that works with 8-week-old puppies:
The Lure Method: Hold a small treat (pea-sized) right above your puppy's nose, about 2 inches away. Slowly move it backward over their head. Their bottom will naturally touch the ground as they follow the treat. The second their butt hits the floor, say "sit" and give the treat with enthusiastic praise.
Practice this 5-6 times per session, with 2-3 sessions daily. Most puppies nail this within 48 hours, though I've seen stubborn terriers take up to a week. Golden Retrievers and Labs? They usually get it in one session because they're so food-motivated.
Common timing mistake I see: Don't say "sit" until their bottom actually touches down. If you say it while they're still moving, you're teaching them that "sit" means "wiggle around while looking at treats."
Adding the Stay Command
Only start teaching stay once your puppy sits immediately when you give the hand signal (treat moving over their head). This usually takes 3-5 days of consistent practice.
Here's my step-by-step stay progression:
- Start with 1-second stays: Put your puppy in a sit, hold your palm up in a "stop" gesture about 6 inches from their face, count "one Mississippi," then immediately reward and release with "okay!"
- Gradually increase duration: Add one second every few successful repetitions. Most puppies can handle 5-second stays by day 3, 15-second stays by week 2.
- Add distance slowly: Once they're solid with 10-second stays, take one small step back. If they break the stay, you moved too fast. Go back to the previous successful distance.
- Practice the release: Always end stays with a clear release word like "okay" or "free." Without this, puppies learn that staying means "sit until I feel like getting up."
I've trained thousands of puppies, and the biggest mistake owners make is rushing the distance component. Your puppy needs to understand that "stay" means "don't move your paws" before you can expect them to handle you walking across the room.
What If It's Not Working?
If your puppy isn't getting it after a week of consistent practice, here are the troubleshooting steps I use:
For sit problems: Check your treat size - if it's too big, they're focused on chewing instead of learning. Also, practice right before meal times when they're hungry but not frantically so. Some puppies are too distracted by treats and respond better to their regular kibble as rewards.
For stay difficulties: You're probably moving too fast. Go back to 1-second stays and rebuild slowly. I've seen owners try to get their 10-week-old puppy to stay for 30 seconds on day one - that's setting everyone up for frustration.
Age considerations: Puppies under 12 weeks have attention spans of about 30 seconds max. Keep training sessions short and sweet. If your puppy starts getting distracted or mouthy, end on a positive note and try again later.
Breed-Specific Training Notes
After 15 years of training, I've noticed definite breed patterns:
Herding breeds (Border Collies, Australian Shepherds) often master sit quickly but struggle with stay because they want to anticipate your next move. Be extra patient with the duration building.
Hunting breeds (Retrievers, Spaniels) are usually star students because they're bred to take direction. They often progress faster than my timeline suggests.
Terriers and independent breeds (Shiba Inus, Basenjis) need more repetition and higher-value treats. I often use tiny pieces of cooked chicken instead of regular training treats.
Giant breed puppies sometimes struggle with sit because their growing joints make the position uncomfortable. If your Great Dane puppy seems reluctant, check with your vet about joint development.
Common Mistakes That Slow Progress
I see these errors repeatedly in my classes:
- Inconsistent timing: Every family member needs to use the same word and reward timing. If Dad says "sit down" and Mom says "sit," you're confusing your puppy.
- Too many repetitions: Puppies learn better with short, frequent sessions than marathon training. 5 minutes, 3 times daily beats one 15-minute session.
- Practicing when distracted: Start training indoors in a quiet room. The backyard with squirrels running around is graduate-level difficulty.
- Forgetting the release word: Your puppy should wait for permission to move, not decide for themselves when stay time is over.
Building Long-Term Success
Once your puppy reliably sits and stays for 30 seconds at arm's length, you've got the foundation for advanced training. I typically see this level of reliability by 6-8 weeks of consistent practice, depending on the breed and individual puppy.
The key to making these commands stick for life is practicing them in different locations and situations. A puppy who only knows "sit" in the kitchen won't necessarily sit at the vet's office or on walks.
Remember, every puppy learns at their own pace. Some of my smartest adult dogs were the slowest puppies in class, and some early bloomers plateaued quickly. Consistency and patience always win over rushing the process.
For personalized guidance based on your specific puppy's breed, age, and learning style, our AI Dog Trainer can create a customized training plan and provide ongoing support as you work through these fundamental commands.