09/03/2026
There is no “stay” command in my training program.
For dogs, “stay” can create a gray area: Am I still doing the last command, or am I supposed to do something different now?
Instead, I teach the dog that the command remains in effect until I release it or give another command.
In this session with Odie, you’ll see me call him to me and then give him the “down” command.
Once he is in the down, that command is active. I don’t need to add “stay” to tell him to remain there.
If I want to end the behavior, I give him a release command or another command.
The release command “Break” tells him that the previous command is finished and he is free to move about as he wishes. .
And if I give him another command, that new command replaces the previous one.
That keeps the communication very clear:
Command → behavior → release.
No gray area. No extra “stay” layered onto the command.
The dog simply learns that commands remain in effect until I tell him otherwise.