Wait

Wait is a lot like stay, only your dog doesn't have to be still. Wait means: don't go past a certain point.

You might use wait if you want your dog to stay in the kitchen while you go to the living room. With the 'wait' command, your dog can move anywhere in the kitchen, but cannot leave.

Think carefully about whether you want your dog to stay (don't move a muscle!) or wait (you can move, but don't follow me!) Some situations require that you tell him to stay and some require that he wait.

Here's how to teach the 'wait':
Let's say you want your dog to stay in the kitchen, and you don't want him to go into the living room, which is right next to it.

• A little bit at a time, start to back up farther away from the door.
• If your dog tries to come through the doorway, walk back to the door, with him in the kitchen and repeat "wait".
• Stay close to the door until you feel he understands; then back up a couple of steps. If he does that well, then you can back up more.
• Remember, these steps should be done over several days. Don't expect your dog to learn it the first day.