Some people are just too busy to walk their dogs regularly at 6 a.m., and others just have too unpredictable schedules.
A well-trained dog can wait and adapt to your schedule, so how can you achieve that?
Here are a few tips on how to teach your dog to wait.
Indoor Start
Initiate the training indoors where there are fewer distractions. Put your dog on a leash and hold it. Use a chosen command like "wait."
Consistent Command
Decide on a command for waiting, such as "stay" or "wait." Stick to using the same command each time for clarity.
Short Distances Initially
Take a step or two away from your dog. If they remain in place, offer a treat and praise them enthusiastically.
Gradual Distance Increase
Progress slowly by increasing the distance between you and your dog over multiple training sessions. Always reward them for waiting patiently.
Adding Time Element
Once your dog is comfortable waiting for short distances, work on extending the time they wait before receiving a treat. This step helps build patience.
Transition to the Door
Move the training to the door. Follow the same process, opening the door slowly. Reward your dog for waiting.
This helps them associate waiting with the excitement of going outside.
Handling Excitement
If your dog gets too excited and forgets to wait, don't get frustrated. Calmly start over, reinforcing the waiting behavior gradually.
Consistent Practice
Practice regularly to reinforce the training.
Consistency in using commands and providing rewards is crucial for your dog to understand and remember the desired behavior.
Introduce External Distractions
Once your dog is reliably waiting indoors and at the door, gradually introduce mild distractions, such as other family members moving around.
This helps your dog generalize the waiting behavior in different situations.
Outdoor Practice
Extend the training to outdoor settings, like your front yard. Reinforce the waiting behavior and gradually introduce longer waits before walks.
