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Calm duration

Build stay and settle skills

Stay means hold a position; settle means relax on a mat. Teach them separately and reward the calm.

Best forLife skills
Session4–8 min
LevelModerate

Goal

What success looks like

Your dog holds a stay for ten seconds or settles on a mat for two minutes with easy rewards.

Visual method

See the sequence before you practice

Stay is an active position; settle is relaxed time on a mat. Build duration before distance, and reward before the dog moves.

Dog holding a stay while the handler gives a stop signal.
Stay: one second first. Reward while the dog is still in position.
Dog lying calmly on a mat.
Settle: reward a relaxed body on the mat and keep your movement calm.

Complete method

One session, start to finish

  1. 01

    Set up

    Choose a mat, bed, or blanket that can become a predictable settle spot.

  2. 02

    Warm up

    Repeat one skill your dog already knows for 30 to 60 seconds.

  3. 03

    Teach

    Ask for a sit or down, mark, reward, and release after one second. Repeat several easy reps.

  4. 04

    Reward

    Mark the exact behavior, then deliver the reward within one second.

  5. 05

    Repeat

    Do three to five easy repetitions. If two cues are missed, make the task easier.

  6. 06

    Advance

    Your dog stays in position for ten seconds with one step of distance, or remains relaxed on a mat for two minutes with occasional easy rewards.

  7. 07

    Finish

    Use your release cue, reward one easy win, and end while your dog is still engaged.

Before you begin

Set up for an easy win

  • Choose a mat, bed, or blanket that can become a predictable settle spot.
  • Use a release cue such as “Free” or “Break.”
  • Practice after a walk, meal, or play session when your dog is naturally calmer.
  • Keep sessions short enough that your dog can succeed.

Step by step

How to teach it

  1. 01

    Start with one second

    Ask for a sit or down, mark, reward, and release after one second. Repeat several easy reps.

  2. 02

    Add duration before distance

    Build to three seconds, then five, while you remain close. Reward before your dog gets up rather than after.

  3. 03

    Add one step of distance

    Step one foot away, return, mark, and reward. If your dog moves, shorten the time and distance.

  4. 04

    Introduce the mat

    Toss a treat onto the mat, mark when your dog steps on it, and reward there. Repeat until the mat predicts good things.

  5. 05

    Reward settled behavior

    When your dog lies down, deliver a treat between their front paws or gently on the mat. Keep your movement calm.

  6. 06

    Extend the settle gradually

    Add a few seconds at a time, then add a quiet household distraction. Release before your dog becomes restless.

Success checkpoint

You are ready to add difficulty when…

Your dog stays in position for ten seconds with one step of distance, or remains relaxed on a mat for two minutes with occasional easy rewards.

When progress stalls

Common problems and fixes

My dog gets up as soon as I move.

Go back to a shorter duration and no distance. Reward while your dog is still in position, then release.

My dog thinks the mat means food hunting.

Reward only when paws or body settle on the mat. Quiet the treat delivery and pause between repetitions.

My dog can stay but never relaxes.

Teach stay and settle as separate skills. Use a mat, lower your energy, and reward relaxed body language rather than a rigid posture.

Trainer note

A release cue is part of the skill. Without it, your dog is guessing when the stay ends.