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Teaching Your Dog to Wait at the Door

  • By Trina Eddy
  • 22 Aug, 2013
Three reasons to teach your dog to wait at the door:
It's an issue of respect. Pushing by you and charging out the door is disrespectful to you as the leader. When charging out the door, they are reacting, not thinking. Making them wait will help you gain control and engage their brain. There is also the issue of safety. Many dogs have been hit by cars after bolting out the door into a road. It is your job as the leader to protect your dog.

How to teach the wait at the door:

1. Clip Bobo's 6-foot lead onto his regular collar. Bring him to the closed front door and have him sit for you in a position that will not block the opening of the door. If he sits, give him a treat and praise him. Then tell him to wait.

2. Next, open the front door a few inches while praising Bobo for a 'good wait'. If he tries to squeeze through, tell him no and close the door and walk him away. Then bring him back to the door and repeat the process. Your goal at this point is to be able to open the door a few inches without Bobo trying to squeeze through. Be patient; you may have to repeat this step five or six times before he gets it.

3. Once you can open the door a few inches without Bobo charging through, you can begin opening it more or more each time. Every moment that Bobo does not try to get out the door is a victory for you. Just make sure to praise him for a good wait while he is doing so. Your goal is to be able to have the front door completely open without Bobo trying to sneak out. If he tries to, tell him no, then quickly close the door, walk him away, and begin the process again. Get him to understand that every time he tries to go out on his own he gets the door shut; each time he waits, he gets praised.

4. Once you are able to get Bobo to wait at a wide-open door, it is time to step through yourself. If at any time he tries to go along with you, tell him "no,wait". Have him continue to wait for 10 seconds. If Bobo succeeds in charging by you, say "no", then take him back inside and repeat the step. Once you have successfully taught him to wait while you are outside, tell Bobo 'okay' and call him through the door. Once outside, have him sit, and reward him with a treat. Then, have him perform the wait , going back into the home. If at any time he tries to bolt in, tell him "no", shut the door, and walk him away. Your goal is to get Bobo to wait at the door, going in or out, until you give the "okay" command. Practice this each time you take Bobo out.

5. Work the wait command at every entrance and exit to the home or car. After 6 to 8 weeks, you will find that the leash may no longer be necessary. The wait will eventually become automatic to Bobo. You needn't practice only at doorways, try teaching Bobo to wait at a curbside.
(The above steps 1-5 are quoted from the "Leader of the Pack" book written by Nancy Baer and Steve Duno)
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