Any puppy or basic dog obedience class will cover the commands sit, down, and stay. How well your dog performs these commands, though, probably depends on numerous factors including your dog’s ability to focus and manage his own impulses, the environment, and whether or not you’re performing at the top of your game.

Practicing these skills every day will help reinforce these three important concepts for your dog. Thankfully, if you set certain expectations for your dog, this daily practice can be achieved easily with minimal daily time commitment. If you’re consistent with these daily expectations, then over time you will see improvement.

First, here’s what the American Kennel Club looks for when they’re testing your dog’s ability to sit and down on command and then also maintain a solid stay.

Task #6: Sit & Down on Command and Staying in Place

The AKC description of this sixth test reads:

“This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler’s commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog’s leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler’s commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.”

According to the CGC Evaluator Guide, the evaluator looks for five main behaviors:

Pulling the dog’s front legs out from a sit position (so that the dog automatically drops into a down) is beyond gentle guidance and the dog should not be passed.
To prevent beginning handlers from tugging on the 20-ft. line as they leave the dog (and pulling the dog out of the stay) Evaluators can do the following: 1) lay the 20 ft. line stretched out on the floor, 2) instruct the handler to attach the line to the dog’s collar, 3) after the handler attaches the line, give the handle end of the line to the handler and 4) instruct the handler to walk to the end of the 20-ft. line (holding on to the end).
The dog is left for the stay in a sit or down. As the handler returns, if the dog simply stands but does not leave the place it was left, the dog passes the test. Dogs who start walking forward to the handler should not pass.
Dogs who do not sit or down after a reasonable period of time need more training and should not be passed.
Do not have handlers go to the end of the line and call the dog; they should return to the dog.

Watch the video below for a few quick demonstrations of how evaluators will ask you to demonstrate that your dog can sit, down, and stay on command for the CGC Test.

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Disclaimer

Before you start reading the training tips, please remember I am not a professional dog trainer. I am a dog parent just like you who wants my dog living up to CGC expectations for being a well-mannered pup in public. I’ve pulled these tips from a variety of sources, including online videos, webinars, books, and dog obedience classes I’ve attended. I’ve used all of the tips I suggest, but not all of these ideas may be right for you or your dog.

If you’re serious about wanting your dog to be a good neighbor, you should absolutely 100% be working with a professional dog trainer. Read more about why working with a professional dog trainer is one of the best decisions you’ll make for you and your dog. Once you’ve found a professional dog trainer who understands you and your goals, then online resources can serve as helpful reminders and inspiration.

Working in practice every day

Implement either a sit-stay or down-stay at every meal.

Most people feed their dog twice a day. Puppies will get three meals per day, which just means more practice time. The odds are in your favor that your dog wants his breakfast and dinner. He’ll be motivated to follow your instructions.

For every meal, place your dog in whichever position works better for you and your dog.
Consider environmental factors like slippery floors. Placing your dog in a down-stay may be easier and more comfortable for your dog.
Make sure you’re clear on how you’re going to communicate to your dog how he’s been released from the stay to his bowl.
Place the bowl down, and then turn toward your dog.
If your dog is distracted and not looking at you, use a command like look or watch me.
Once your dog has made eye contact with you, you can release him by saying his name, or using a specific release word like okay.
You could even work in a gesture if your dog needs some extra assurance that he’s been cleared for consuming his meal.

If you have more than one dog, you can place their bowls down one at a time and release each dog individually. Just remember to think through how you’re going to release each dog.

With Bernie and Lizzie, I vary up who gets released first, and sometimes I release them both at the same time. If one of them breaks the sit-stay or down-stay, that dog always gets released last. The dog who maintains the stay gets to go first.

Work in threshold waits at every door.

When you take your dog outside for either potty breaks or walks, start expecting your dog to sit, look at you, and wait for you to release him through the door. Decide if your dog should go through the door before you or after you.

Whenever you’re driving anywhere with your dog, put the same process in place. Expect your dog to check in with you before he hops in or out of the car.

If you’ve never required your dog to follow a check-in procedure before, start training with your dog on leash, even for potty breaks in a back yard. The leash allows you to manage him much more easily, which will help him succeed more quickly.

If your dog rushes past you in any of these scenarios, reset him. With a neutral demeanor, place your dog back on the other side of the threshold. Ask him to sit and look at you. Once he’s made eye contact, tell him your release word so he knows he’s now allowed through the door.

When you first start these new routines, your dog may try to rush by you. He’s probably not trying to be difficult, he just wants to go. He’s a dog and he’s confused. If you stay consistent, your dog will learn the new expectations, and he’ll follow them.

Practice with a 20-foot long-line

On the Canine Good Citizen Test, you’ll be asked to place your dog on a 20-foot long-line. If you know that you’ll be nervous taking the CGC Test, be sure to have worked in plenty of practice with your dog on the 20-foot long-line.

The last thing you want is to get tangled on test day. Or worse, you accidentally tug the long-line and your dog breaks his stay.

For several years, this Signature K9 Biothane Long Line has worked well for me. I especially like how thin and light-weight this lead is. The Biothane material feels secure in my hand, even the 3/8" thickness. Plus it's easy to clean. While it's only 15-feet long, test takers are permitted to clip a 15-foot long line to their dog's leash.

Advanced practice with sit-stays and down-stays

Start this exercise at home where your dog can be most successful. As your dog’s duration for sit-stays and down-stays increases, then you want to move outside the home to gradually more challenging environments.

Grab a tote bag or backpack, place your dog on your long-line, and start walking around your house with your dog.
Leave your bag or backpack on the floor.
Walk with your dog away from the object. When you start this exercise, just walk a few feet away.
Place your dog in a sit-stay or down-stay.
Don’t forget to use a hand signal since dogs pick up on those visuals much more easily than words.
Begin backing up toward the bag or backpack you left, but keep eye contact with your dog. You can turn around and walk away after your dog has better focus with his stay.
Lean over and pick up the bag.
Walk back to your dog.
If he stayed in place, reward him.
Release him from the sit-stay or down-stay.
Move to a different spot in your house and try this exercise again.
Avoid following a pattern here. Vary up the number of times you ask for each behavior.
You should also vary up the object you’re placing on the floor. When you’re at home, you can use any object. Bags and backpacks are easy when you’re out. Avoid using dog toys until you’re confident that you’re dog’s impulse control is high enough.
Once your dog has held his stay 2-3x in a row, you can increase the distance between the bag and where you place your dog in the stay.

How to Pass the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test blog graphic

More challenging variations on this exercise

Once your dog is reliably maintaining sit-stays and down-stays, you’ll want to challenge him more. Remember, to set your dog up for success start each variation in your home. Here are some higher level suggestions:

When you walk back to your dog with the object in hand, pet your dog before you reward and release.
If there’s another person around, ask them to walk in front of or around your dog while you’re retrieving the object.
If you pause while picking up the object, the second person could also walk up to your dog and pet him.
You could also try walking past your dog to see if he’ll stay.
Go even further with this challenging task by walking around your dog in a circle.
Gently toss an object in front of or next to your dog.
Roll a ball by him.