Tuesday Training Byte: Training wait vs. stay

I prefer to use different words for specific commands. An example is I use the command "Down" for lie down, and "Off" for getting off the couch or if my dog jumps on me. I also prefer distinct 1-syllable words whenever possible so my dog does not get confused when words may sound similar. I use the command "Heel" but not "Here" as they are too similar in sound. So I stick with heel and "Come".

First let me differentiate between stay and wait. Stay means to freeze and remain in the place and position the dog is in when I give the command- much like the old game of freeze tag. The dog should not move until released. Training a solid stay command is a longer very incremental process. Handler error and expecting too much too soon is what often results in a dog breaking the stay. Wait is a command I use quite often. The wait command does not require the dog to remain in the exact spot, the exact position, for any length of time. I use the "Wait" command for the following situations:

1. I open the lift gate on my SUV and I don't want my dog to jump out until I have clipped the leash onto his collar.

2. I open the gate to the back yard and I do not want my dog to come out just yet.

3. I place the food bowl in my dog's crate, but want him to wait until I close the crate so he doesn't knock the bowl from my hands.

4. I have my dog ready to go with me, but I need to straighten the throw on the car seat before he jumps in.

5. I have my dog on leash to take to the vet and as we walk out the door, I need my dog to wait while I get the deadbolt locked rather than drag me down the driveway.

   I am sure you can get the idea that wait literally means hang on a few seconds until I am ready. I use the wait command far more than I use the stay command. The key is to make sure that you can control the dog to enforce the wait, and then release very quickly. I try to set my dog up for success when first training so he doesn't get the opportunity to fail. If I command "Wait!" as I open the backyard gate and my dog bolts out, he has just learned that the command means nothing if I don't have physical control at that moment. Keeping a short pull tab hanging on the dog's collar gives me something to grab to enforce the command. Remembering to release your dog in a timely manner BEFORE he breaks the wait will help the dog to know he must wait for the release word. Your dog can be so much easier to live with once you teach the wait command. Pull tabs can be purchased from J & J Dog Supplies https://www.jjdog.com/pull-tabs/?srsltid=AfmBOoor7qc_qHWaw7hSxOlfIEI25kTNFA_8Mh-IkCzWkbXxGbekhdWf

   Happy training!