Puppies won't do a long stay, but you start by holding their food bowl up high and asking them to sit, then stay. SLOWLY lower the bowl. If they start to get up, lift it back up again, put them back in position and try again. They only get their bowl if they stay seated. If you practice this every time you feed them they will pick it up quickly!
Then you can make it part of their "tricks". I put Loki in a down-stay (he can't do a sit-stay, he always lays down) and then walk backwards. Take a step or two then walk back and reward while they are STILL down. I can get about 20-30 feet away, especially if we are doing it in class at the trainer's studio - because he is "working" and then I walk back and act all excited just like I would if he rolled over! |