WAIT Command

Wait command is a critical canine skill that improves your dog’s impulse control.   Specifically, WAIT means that your dog should NOT move forward.   It is very different from the Stay command because it is not asking your dog to maintain a control position like Sit or Down.

The WAIT command is great for teaching dogs manners at doors so that guests can come into your home while your dog waits patiently and calmly a few feet away and does not approach the guest until you release them for the greeting.  

Teach your dog to WAIT while you open any door (crate door, front door, car door) teaches your dog that they must remain calm before you will open the door and go through the door to great you, friends, or go outside.  This is an excellent exercise to teach your dog good manners when people are coming in doors and to not door dash.

Start with the Crate

1. Dog is in crate

2. Unlatch crate door, but don’t open it.

3. Say WAIT and slowly start to open the door.  

   • If the dog starts to move forward or push on the crate door, say your negative marker (Eh Eh) and close the door

   • If dog does not move forward and remains calm, open door wider and reward with a treat initially

4. Repeat until dog remains calmly in the crate even though the door is wide open, then release the dog to exit crate by saying OK or Free.  

NOTE:  Dog does not get a treat for exiting the crate, the reward is no longer in the crate and can greet you.

Practice with House or Car Door

Start with an internal door, or a door that leads to a confined space, like fenced in backyard or garage.  Once they are good with these doors, then you can work on a front door.

1. Both you and the dog are in the same room a few feet from  a door

2. Walk towards the door and say WAIT and start to open the door

   • If the dog starts to move forward or lunge toward the door, say your negative marker (Eh Eh) and close the door

   • If dog does not move forward and remains calm, open door wider and reward with a treat initially

3. Repeat until dog remains calmly in place even though the door is wide open, then release the dog to exit crate by saying OK or Free.  

4. Raise the bar by asking the dog to WAIT as you go through the door and then release him to follow you through.  

Practice with Car Door

This exercise teaches your dog to remain calm in the car even if the door is open.  This will allow you to more safely remove them from safety belt and put on their leash before you release them to jump out of the car door.

1. Start with dog in the backseat of a car

2. Say WAIT with the door closed and start to open the car door

   • If the dog starts to move forward or lunge toward the door, say your negative marker (Eh Eh) and close the car door

   • If dog does not move forward and remains calm, open door wider and reward with a treat initially

3. Repeat until dog remains calmly in place even though the door is wide open.  Make sure to leash your dog and then release the dog to exit car by saying OK or Free.  

Keep practicing in new places!    Sign up for an Self Control Obedience Class or Attention & Impulse Control Class to improve your dog’s overall impulse control and build a strong relationship with you and your dog.