Dog Training - How Do I Teach My Dog How To Wait?



Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009

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The aim with this exercise is to teach your dog that wait' means hold on for a moment'. The release word then follows, meaning okay, now you can get what you want'. This word can be used: before the dog is fed, before he goes through a doorway, before his lead is removed, before you let him out of the car, on walks, if he is pulling on his lead, when your dog is excited, as it is a good way of getting him to stop and listen to you.

It is a good way of stopping your dog for a moment and regaining control. The first stage involves using a treat. Sit or kneel on the floor and have your dog on one side of you holding his lead or collar. Have a treat in your other hand. Put it on the floor but prevent your dog from getting it by holding him or by picking up the treat again.

When he is not struggling to get it, let him go forward and encourage him to eat it. Hold your dog, put the treat on the floor and say wait'. It is vital that your dog does not get the food, otherwise he will learn that wait' signals a great game where he grabs any food he can. Hold your dog or pick the food up again if he is trying to reach it.

As soon as he is not pulling towards the food, say your release word and, if necessary, encourage him to eat the food by pointing to it, or moving it. It's a good idea to repeat this technique in different situations. Ensure that your hand movements are not giving your dog more cues than our voice. Therefore, be aware, if you point at the food, that you must release your grip on your dog's collar, for example. Even when your dog can do this with a piece of food, it does not mean that he will know what you mean when you do not want him to jump out of the car. Remember situational learning - you must teach in every different set of circumstances. The rules are the same.

Wait' means hold on'. You must ensure that the dog does not move and get the reward. As soon as your dog stops pulling forward, you can reward him by giving your release word. The reward to your dog will be doing what he wanted, for example getting out of the car, going off his lead or going through the doorway. It does not matter what words you use, provided everyone is consistent.

Use whatever words suit you. You could teach your dog to stay when you say bananas' and to wait when you say apples'. It would not matter to the dog, but we as owners would find it much harder. Therefore, decide on the word you prefer, write it on your dog dictionary sheet, and keep to the same word.

Andy has been writing articles for several years. Check out his latest website on home stereo amplifiers learn about the very best in home cinema with a wireless surround sound system.
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