Use this once your dog can already maintain the position you're planning to cue.
1Cue your dog to sit or down, say "stay," and raise your hand in a stop gesture. Keep your hand several inches from their nose so they don’t mistake it for a hand touch.
2Use the hand that will be closest to your dog once they're staying at your side.
3Step back one foot and immediately return, mark and reward. Repeat at one, two, and three steps away, three reps each.
4Practice the stay at your dog's side: step in front of them, then immediately return, mark and reward.
5Progress to stepping in front, then backing to the end of the leash, then immediately returning.
6Mix in praise-only reps as you begin fading food rewards.
7Try hiding food in the environment so your dog doesn't know exactly when a reward is coming.
8Once solid at six feet in one location, practice in several rooms and your yard.
Give the stay cue, move away briefly, return, and reward your dog in position.