Wait is short for: "Wait a minute, and pay attention; I'm going to ask you to do something”.  The hand signal for WAIT is a moving signal. With the dog sitting in a heel position on your left hand side, use your left fingers pointed down, palm facing the dog.  Move your arm from right to left in front of your dog’s face saying: WAIT.

The easiest way to teach this command is at a feeding time.  Allow at least a half-hour for the 1st few times.  Place the dog’s meal at counter height; put your dog in a sitting position at least 6 feet away.  Give him the “wait” command & signal.  Step off with your right leg as you move towards the dog’s food on the counter. (chances are that this is as far as you will get the first time)  If the dog moves, say “wrong” & place the dog back in the sit position.  Repeat the command & signal, and try again.  It'll take some time until you can get to the counter without the dog moving.  Next, feed your dog its meal saying “take it”.  After 2 or 3 days the dog will begin to understand the command and know what's expected of them.

Now you can take this one step further.  When you reach the counter, tell your dog to “wait” as you slowly lower the food to the floor.  If they move towards it (& they will) say “wrong” and place the food back on the counter.  Return the dog 6 feet away in the sitting position and start again.  The object is to get the food dish to the floor without the dog moving until you say “take it”.  As your dog improves, only use the first “wait” command & discontinue the second.

In less than a week, your dog should be a PRO!  Begin to use WAIT going in & out doors and up stairs - especially if you have small children or people who may fall, if the dog accidentally knocks them down.  Use WAIT to start a “recall”.  Leave the dog in a “wait”, walk a few feet away & call the dog to “come”.  May your Dog(s) always WAIT patiently. Jean