Foundations · Medium

How to teach your dog to wait

Wait means pause right here until I say go. It stops dogs bolting through doors, out of the car or across the road.

By Pawfessor Editorial TeamUpdated

An owner teaching a dog wait
  • LevelMedium

Wait is one of the most practical safety cues. It turns every door, gate and car door into a calm moment instead of a race.

Before you start

  • A door your dog wants to go through
  • A leash for safety
  • A release word, like "OK" or "Free"

Step by step

Teaching wait, step by step
  1. Stand at the door with your dog on leash; put your hand on the handle

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between wait and stay?

Stay means hold this position until I come back to you. Wait is a shorter pause, usually before going through something, ended by a release word.

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