"Stay" Command for the Teacup Dog
61Stay serves the purpose of punctuation mark. The “stay” is for emphasis or punctuation.
For example, when you are going to leave for a while, when you turn your back on your teacup dog, or when you pay attention to something else such as being involved in a conversation. It is a reminder to your yorkie that this command is given to be held until you release him with a special release word or signal.
The command telling your pet to stay is simple and graphic: say “stay” and hold your open hand out toward your dog with the palm facing him.
To make sure he understands, at first push your hand right into his face in an emphatically visual signal. Later you can be more subtle.
To teach your teacup dog to stay, take him to a corner and have him assume whatever posture you wish. Once he’s in position, move your right hand quickly and firmly toward his face, as if you were a policeman stopping traffic and say “stay” once.
Turn your back on him and walk away a few feet, then turn to face him. If he has allowed you – as he’s sure to do in early training – give him a shake and take him back to the original stay position.
If he runs of, throw something at him to stop him. Then go and bring him back into position. Repeat the entire procedure over and over until he stays where he’s told. When he does, go back to him.
Upon reaching your yorkie, touch him first to hold him in place, and praise him. Then quickly tell him to stay once again so that he doesn’t think he’s free to leave. Once told, he has to stay until freed by his special release word and signal.
Again, praise is not a release. When you say “good dog” and praise your small canine, the chances are he will stop being good. Therefore, touch him just the way you did in teaching the “come” command.
However, don’t make the praise something to be associated with authority. When first making your teacup pup stay, don’t try to walk off a long distance from him. Go off just a few feet. It is best to remain close and be certain than be doubtful at a distance.
