Teaching your dog the Wait Command can keep her safe from darting out into traffic or other unknown, dangerous situations. It doesn't have to be a struggle; just practice with treats and praise!
The Wait Command
While very similar to the Stay command, the Wait Command is used most often to control your dog when she might run into busy traffic, jump up on other dogs or people, or even escape out the front door when it's opened. You can also use the Wait Command when your dog is pulling ahead of you on her leash, or to keep her from crowding her food bowl when you're trying to feed her.
The difference between the Wait Command and Stay is that with Stay, she usually sits (or lies) still while you walk away for extended periods of time. With the Wait Command, you'll often be standing there with her, perhaps waiting for a walk signal, until you can both move safely.
Teaching the Wait Command
You should begin this training only after your dog has already mastered the "sit-stay" command. Start in an area that doesn't have a lot of activity or other stimuli. For instance, practice in the front doorway before the neighborhood kids are home from school and playing outside.
Give your dog the command and walk through the door. If she doesn't immediately follow you, give her a reward and praise her. If she follows you through the doorway, stop, turn back to her, tell her "No" and put her back in the doorway. Repeat this several times, and try to end your quickie training session with a successful wait from her.
You should have a "release word" that will signal to your dog that the waiting period is over. It can be something as simple as "okay" or "done," and should be used at the end of all waiting periods, no matter how short or long they are.
A great way to incorporate Wait Command training into your dog's daily schedule is to teach the command every time you take her out the front door for walks or potty breaks. As soon as she learns to wait on your command in the front doorway, you can move on to waiting in other situations, such as outside or at her food bowl.
Your dog should know that you will direct her however and wherever you wish and she is expected to obey quickly and without problems. The overall message in the Wait Command, just like in all other commands, is that you (the owner) are in control of everything your dog does. .
