Teaching "Wait"

"Wait" is a very useful command when it comes to doors in a dog's life. For example, it prevents your dog from rushing out the car door when you reach the park, or from running in the house before you've had a chance to wipe his paws. In this article, I will go step-by-step to help you teach your dog "wait". I have also included pictures to make this command easy to learn.

1. Start in an entryway. It has to be something obvious to start, like a doorway or a step.

2. Face the dog, place the dog in a sit (but not stay), and open the door.

3. Every time the dog moves toward the open door, step in front of the dog (as if your body is the door closing) and say "WAIT!". When your dog backs up, praise him and step back.

4. Repeat these steps until your dog seems to almost give up, or at least not makes any dives towards the door. You'll know when you are there by your dog's behavior.
5. Release your dog to go outside. (Our word for this is "OKAY!".)
6. Bring your dog back inside and try it again. Practice makes perfect!

As an alternative, you can try this using the door as a block, such as when you are trying it with your car. I always hold the door with my hand in the jamb, however, because that way I would shut the door on my own hand and not the dog! You follow the same motion as you do with the body block - hold for a second and open it again. If you just stand there with the door closed or your body blocking the entry, you are just another door and the dog won't learn the command!