How To Teach a Dog to Wait

Want a dog who waits when you open the door? All you have to do is follow these 7 steps.

1. Have the dog on a leash. Wear closed-toe shoes.
2. Use a door that opens inward and put your foot about three inches from the door. So when the door is open that much, your foot is parallel to it and the door will stop. This ensures if the dog tries to open the door with his nose the door will stop at your foot.

   Open the door about two to three inches. If the dog moves toward the door, just close it; most dogs back away from the door once it is closed. If the dog doesn't try to go through the door: praise the dog, treat the dog, shut the door. Repeat.

3. Begin to vary the amount the door is open, until you can open the door entirely and the dog does not try and escape through it.
4. When the dog doesn’t try and go out the door while it is completely open, start saying, “wait.” The dog should not be allowed to proceed through the door until you give the dog permission, like "Let's go!" (Also remember that people should go through doors first, the dog last.) “Wait” -- open door – Praise and treat – shut door.
5. Same as step four, with lots of treats when the door is completely open. Don't be stingy! We want to make sure the dog WANTS to wait and not go for a run. “Wait” -- open door – praise for dog not trying to go through the door – treat dog – Praise – treat dog – praise – treat dog – praise -- shut door – treat dog. This is just an example; please randomize how many clicks/treats the dog gets when the door is completely open.
6. If at any time you decide the dog can go through the door, say "Let's go!" to give the dog permission.
7. Only treat the waiting (not going through the door) for two reasons: going through the door IS the reward for the dog, and you want to make the “wait” the stronger behavior.