Wait
Basic Manners · 10 steps · by Push Drop Stick
Your Dog will learn to wait in a stand at any open door, holding still for up to 3 seconds and even while you step through it, until you release them. They will respond to a hand signal or the verbal cue 'Wait'.
A dog who bolts out an open door can end up in serious danger, so a reliable wait is an important safety skill.
**Safety:** Have Your Dog on-leash if needed, in case they try to bolt out the door. While you train, prevent Your Dog from practicing the dash by keeping the door controlled, using a baby gate or a barrier so it only opens when they are on-leash or confined.
**Practice at every doorway that leads outside, and even getting out of the car,** so Your Dog learns to wait everywhere. If you ask for a wait every single time you go through a door, Your Dog will eventually offer it on their own, without being cued!
For this plan, you will also need two other verbal cues:
**- A No-Reward Marker:** such as "Oops," to mark the moment Your Dog breaks position and help them understand why they won't be getting a treat for that rep.
**- A Release Cue:** such as "Okay!" or "Break!" to let Your Dog know they are free to leave the position, especially at the end of a training session. If you always use a release cue, Your Dog will learn to wait until released!
Training steps
Touch doorknob
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door.
Touch the doorknob for 1 second.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Jiggle doorknob
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door.
Jiggle the doorknob as if you were going to open the door.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Open door 1 inch for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door.
If Your Dog moves to go through the door, say 'Oops' to mark the moment and quickly close the door.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Open door halfway for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door.
Open and close the door halfway before giving Your Dog a treat.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Open door all the way for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door.
Be ready to close the door if Your Dog tries to go through it.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Open door all the way for 3 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door.
Be ready to close the door if Your Dog tries to go through it.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Add the verbal cue and hand signal
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door.
Say the verbal cue 'Wait', then give the hand signal before you open the door all the way. The hand signal is a waved flat hand with your palm facing Your Dog, your fingers pointing up.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Open door and move one foot
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door. Use the verbal cue 'Wait' and hand signal at the start of each rep.
Move one foot into the doorway space without stepping through.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Open door and step through
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door. Use the verbal cue 'Wait' and hand signal at the start of each rep.
After you open the door, take a step through it and then return to reinforce Your Dog if they stay still.
Success: Your Dog stays still.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Add the release cue
Setup: Your Dog is standing near the front door. Use the verbal cue 'Wait' and hand signal at the start of each rep and a release cue at the end.
Open and step through the door, then use your release cue to tell Your Dog they can come through too. If you are opening a door to the outside, keep Your Dog on-leash. Give them a treat for coming through, especially if they seem hesitant.
Success: Your Dog stays still until released.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Good job! You've laid a strong foundation for Wait.
Now it's time to proof Your Dog's new skill. You can restart the plan using proof steps, or play games with the goals you just earned. Practice both in different locations and around distractions.