Say Less, Train Better: Why We DON’T Teach 'Stay'

What if saying less could actually teach your dog more? Today we’re breaking down why we don’t use ‘stay,’ and how that simple change can unlock clearer communication and cleaner obedience.

Ranger holding his sit command like a pro—waiting patiently for his release. That eye contact? Absolutely on point.

TLDR:

Repeating commands, like saying “stay” over and over, can actually teach your dog that it’s okay to break commands early. Instead, say the command once. If your dog breaks, calmly guide them back and reset. Start with short durations they can succeed at, then gradually increase the time before releasing. Clear, consistent expectations build stronger behavior.

A familiar place

Does this sound familiar? You place your dog in a sit, down, or stay. Then you step back and repeat the command over and over again checking over your shoulder to make sure they are still doing what you ask. Yeah, we’ve all been there, and we see it all the time. We’re afraid if we aren’t constantly reminding them, they’re going to get up and walk away. Truth is, we’re actually creating a bad habit and teaching them to break their commands when we don’t want them too. How do we fix this? The answer: Bookends technique!

What is a bookend?

Before we teach bookends, what exactly is a bookend? A bookend—like the ones many of us have on our shelves—marks the beginning and end of a row of books. It’s used in video editing too, to mark the start and end of a clip. So how does this apply to training?

We “bookend” our commands by the command itself and ending the command with our release word and eye contact. The time between is them working the command. Simple and clear: we tell them what the expectation is, and when we’re satisfied, we let them know they’re done.

No need for constant reminders.

And yes, we can already hear you typing, “But they won’t hold the command unless we keep telling them!”

Teaching Bookends

Whether you’re teaching a brand-new command or reworking one you previously had to use “stay” for, teaching bookends is straightforward. The hardest part? Repetition and patience, especially if your dog is still learning. Here's how to get started:

1. Start with the command.Place your dog in the desired position. When they follow through, reward them! But don’t release just yet; pause and watch. If they hold the command, great! Make eye contact, give your release word, and reward again using your “yes” or “good” marker. (See our post on marker words for more on that.) Continue practicing, slowly increasing the duration each time.

2. If they break early, reset.If your dog breaks the command before being released, calmly correct them by guiding them back into position. Mark the mistake with your “no” marker so they understand it they shouldn’t break their commands

3. Struggling? Keep it positive.If they’re really having a hard time, don’t push too far. Place them in the command one more time, get eye contact, and release quickly. You can either try again or switch to something easier to end the session on a positive note. It’s absolutely okay to move on if they’re struggling, progress happens over time. (Check out our post on building great training sessions!)

That’s it! Three simple steps. If you’re introducing a new command, start with lots of short, successful reps to define the behavior. As they improve, you’ll do fewer reps with longer hold times.

Challenge

This week, we’ve got two challenges for you. Choose the one that fits your training goals—or try both!

1. Drop the “stay.”If you find yourself saying “stay” after every command, pick one command this week and challenge yourself to stop saying it. Give the command once, and use your release word instead to mark the end.

2. Build duration.Pick a command and see how long your dog can hold it. Our favorite for this is “place.” Can you reach that 30-minute or even 1-hour milestone? Take your time, be consistent, and celebrate the small wins.

We’d love to hear how it goes for you or how you adapt it to make it your own! If you ever need help, feel free to reach out to us. Let’s see what we can come up with together! Want to see about a free consulation? Click here to scheulde one.