Wait at the door

Doors are VERY exciting places! Who knows what can be on the other side? One thing for sure - its got to be better than what is on This side! Charge!!! Check it OUT!

So. When teaching the 'wait' command - its important to start on a door that creates low excitement. The bedroom door is a good one. Not the front door where all excitement exists.

Put the dog on a leash. Start walking to the door. Tell the dog to 'wait' I use the hand signal of waving my hand in front of their noses. A couple times. Get their attention.
Then I put my hand on the door knob and start to open the door. The second the dog starts to charge the door. I say "whoops whoops!" shut the door, and take a few steps back. We wait till all are calm, then head to the door again.

"wait, wait!" wave hand. Hand on door knob, attempt to open the door......once more with feeling.


The goal is for puppy to wait patiently while I go through first. Sit, stand, right now, I don't care. I just get to go first. If I do, then - yay, puppy! I don't really food treat for 'wait' because getting to go with me at all is a very big Life Reward.
Once they do 'wait' very reliably at the bedroom door, I change up - a different bedroom, then the garage door, or the back door, then the HIGH value door - the one they like to bark at, and charge when you get company.

I do this one in class with a big value door - the one leaving the training center - because its the only one I have - and its amazing how quickly the dogs pick up on it. Within five to ten repetitions they are waiting for me to go first. I do NOT trust a dog's life to a dog's judgement at this point though. Take your time. Your dog's quality of life will depend on it - and their life could.