For many dogs, stillness is a challenging concept to grasp. Especially in sports-bred dogs, which are highly motivated by movement, training methods often focus on encouraging and rewarding action. As a result, teaching stay behaviors can be more difficult. However, introducing the concept of stillness can help your dog remain calm, composed, and focused in various situations, benefiting high-energy or anxious dogs in particular.

Why Teaching Stillness Matters

1. Enhanced Focus: Dogs that can remain still are better able to focus on cues and tasks.
2. Reduced Anxiety: Learning to be still helps anxious dogs feel more secure and relaxed.
3. Improved Behavior: Stillness training curbs impulsive behaviors such as jumping, barking, or chasing.
4. Better Control: It aids in managing your dog in different environments, making outings and social situations more enjoyable.
5. Increased Safety: Ensures your dog stays put in potentially dangerous situations.

Getting Started: Principles of Stillness Training

Before diving into specific exercises, keep these key principles in mind:

• Positive Reinforcement: Reward calm and still behavior with treats, praise, and affection.
• Patience: Each dog learns at their own pace, so be patient and consistent.
• Consistency: Use the same cues and rewards each time you train.
• Short Sessions: Keep training sessions brief to maintain your dog's interest and focus.

Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Stillness

 1. Create a Calm Environment

Begin training in a quiet, low-distraction environment where your dog feels safe and comfortable.

• Choose a familiar spot where your dog can relax.
• Remove any distractions, such as toys or other pets.

• Stand Still: Toss a treat a short distance away. When your dog returns and stops moving, mark the behavior with "yes" or a clicker and reward.
• Slowly Add Duration: Gradually increase the time your dog remains still before marking the behavior. Increase the duration by fractions of seconds.

Here's a video example of capturing stillness in a stand. Initially, wait for your dog to stop moving and stand, then click and reward out of position. In this video, you can see how Strive begins to offer the stop and stand behavior.



3. Reward Calm Behavior

• Start Small: Reward your dog for even brief moments of stillness. Gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable.
• Use Low-Value Treats: Opt for low-value treats that won't overly excite your dog, maintaining a calm atmosphere.

4. Gradually Increase Duration and Distractions

Slowly increase the duration of stillness and introduce mild distractions.

• Incremental Steps: Gradually extend the time your dog remains still, starting with a few seconds and building up to several minutes.
• Controlled Distractions: Introduce mild distractions, such as soft noises or someone walking by, and reward your dog for remaining still.

Teaching Your Dog Stand-By

 Stand-by is a useful behavior for teaching your dog the concept of stillness. Your dog will learn to default to a stand with eye contact while waiting for cues, rather than offering behaviors or movement.

Toss a treat. When your dog returns and pauses movement, mark and reward. If the dog tries to sit, mark a little earlier, even if the dog isn't perfectly still.
Watch how puppy Rise initially wants to sit. By marking earlier, even when he's not perfectly still, and if he sits, feeding him so he gets up for the treat, he quickly learns to offer stillness in a stand. Notice the frequent marking and rewarding.



Teaching stillness to your dog is a valuable skill that enhances their focus, reduces anxiety, and improves overall behavior. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can help your dog develop the ability to remain calm and composed in various situations, laying an excellent foundation for teaching stays.