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The "Wait" Command
By Pat Kalbaugh
December 10, 1995
INDUCIVE (POSITIVE) METHODS
Did you know that training your dog can be fun? If you want a well-mannered pet or a competition dog, training with positive methods will make training fun for both the handler and the dog. In this section I will try to highlight different commands and give you the steps to teach them in a positive or inducive manner.PUPPIES
The best time to begin training is before the pup develops any unwanted behaviors. Puppies can learn much even before they go to "school". It is much easier to train good habits early rather than trying to extinguish unwanted behavior, however, most dogs can learn new commands. When training young pups remember that their attention span is much shorter than a mature dog. Keep the training session short and quit BEFORE the pup gets bored or tired. I begin to teach puppies as young as 5 weeks old to sit, down, and wait. I may only do one or two repetitions of the command during a session, but I may do as many as five sessions a day. Keep the sessions short and happy. Use a toy and play with the pup while you are training as a reward for correct behavior. Never train when you are in a bad mood or tired. Keep your voice upbeat and happy. The pup or dog will pick up on your mood. If you remain upbeat throughout the training session it will keep the pup's attention and attitude up. Don't forget to PRAISE profusely and sincerely.THE "WAIT" COMMAND
Wait is an valuable command and fairly easy to teach. Wait is an informal "stay" command. The goal is the communicate to the puppy/dog that "wait" means to stay in the general vicinity before proceeding. It is a good command to use before feeding and when opening doors especially the car door.To teach "wait", put the dog on leash. The leash is there only to keep the dog from leaving. It is NOT used to harshly correct the dog. You can have the dog sit if you want but this is not necessary. Give the "wait" command along with a hand signal in front of the dog's nose. If the dog moves forward or backward, GENTLY replace the dog exactly where he was and give the command "wait" again. Wait just a second or two, praise sincerely first then release the dog with a relase command. Your release command is as important as your other commands. The release command tells the dog that he/she is free to do whatever they want, within reason of course. The command can be anything, but you might want to avoid using a word like "okay" that you use in everyday speech or you may, without meaning to, release the dog from a command by using the word in casual conversation. "Release" or "relax" may be more appropriate words to use.
After praising sincerely and releasing the dog/pup from the "wait" command, repeat the exercise 5-10 times (depending on the age and attention span of the pup/dog). You can do this drill several times a day at first, releasing after the dog "waits" for just a second or two at first. When the dog shows that he is beginning to understand the meaning of "wait" you can gradually increase the amount of time you make the dog "wait". Always try to release BEFORE the dog breaks to make the exercise a "win win" situation for you and the dog. If the dog breaks, GENTLY replace the dog and give the command again.
A good and practical time to teach the wait command is while you are putting his food bowl on the floor. Get the food ready and tell the dog to sit and wait until you put the bowl down. If the dog dives for the food be ready, and gently replace him. You may have to physically restrain the dog at first, until the bowl is on the floor and you release him. As the dog gains understanding of this command he will soon learn that the faster he sits and waits the sooner he will get to eat. Be fair about this and don't do prolonged "waits" at this time but do not allow the dog to have the food until you say so. Using the wait command at this time consistently, keeps the dog from diving at his food and communicates to the dog that you are the leader and will only allow him to eat when you say so. The dog is then immediately rewarded for his good behavior which will reinforce the "wait" command so that training will progress rapidly.
After the dog has a pretty good understanding of "wait" you can begin to use the "wait" command before you proceed through a doorway. You should always proceed through a doorway BEFORE your dog. As the pack leader that is your position. A dog that is allowed to proceed before the owner may think that he is the pack leader. This small distinction is an important one. Dogs are much more comfortable knowing who they are to follow.
You can also use the "wait" command before you get in and out of the car. You have to spend a little time in the car teaching this but the same priciples apply. The dog is made to "wait" while the car door is opened and is made to "wait" until the owner gives the release command before proceeding into or out of the car. This command may save the dog's life by preventing him from leaping out of the car and into traffic as soon as the door is opened.
HAPPY TRAINING!
Copyright © 1995 P. Kalbaugh
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