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"wait"

Teaching your puppy to Wait can be an invaluable command. This command is helpful because it can prevent bad behaviors from even starting. If your dog waits at the door, he cannot escape outside. If your dog waits before he comes out of the car, he cannot run out into the street...

The way that we teach our puppies to “Wait” is by using body blocks. We use our bodies to control a “valued resource”, in this case, a doorway (yes, to a dog a doorway can be something valuable!). Place your body in-between your dog and the doorway, having the whole front of your body facing your dog. Take a step in and lean toward your dog. Try to control the space of the doorway with your body but have the leash on your dog while you’re practicing - just in case Rover slips past you! You might have to do the quick two-step from side to side!

Tell your dog “Wait” (calmly, one time), and open the door.
Right away, have your body blocking the door. Remember to have your hips aimed towards your dog. The way you’ll be facing him this way tells your dog, in doggy body language, to “stop” or “back up”.
If he tries to go forward, through your legs, move your legs around to make sure he can’t slip through.
Once he stops trying to go out the door, step aside so there is nothing between your dog and the outside.
Wait just a second. Remember to have an open space between your dog and the outside…
If he is still being good (not trying to get out!) say “Okay!”, and let him out.
If you step aside (step #3) and he tries to go out the door, start all over again.

When you practice, sometimes let them out when they’re being good, sometimes I don’t. This is good to practice for instances when it is not okay for them to go out (when the pizza is delivered!).

Giene Keyes

Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.