Just a Moment: Teaching “Wait” and “OK!”

Teaching puppies to pause for a moment (“Wait”) until released (“OK!”) is not only handy in everyday life, but also a positive and easy way for puppies to practice impulse control around things and activities they really want! Use the “Wait” cue for short pauses (up to about 5-10 seconds) – there is no need to tempt a puppy for much longer! 

One of the first places you can start to introduce the “Wait” cue is at mealtime with the food bowl. Begin by holding the food bowl up out of reach until the puppy is still. Say the word “wait” and then start to lower the food bowl to the ground. Praise the puppy for waiting calmly.

• If the puppy gets up to go for the food in the bowl, just lift it back up. Use a calm voice to reward the puppy when they show restraint. Puppies quickly learn that launching forward makes the food disappear and will try to contain themselves!
• At first, ask for only a moment of stillness before you give the “OK!” cue and encourage the puppy to approach the bowl. Gradually build up the length of time they are asked to wait.
• With several days of practice, puppies should quickly be able to wait the entire time it takes you to put the food bowl down before you release them to eat.

Pre-requisites

• The puppy has been introduced to the crate and is comfortable with the door closed.

As you go to open the crate and let the puppy out, say the word “wait” before you open the crate door just a tiny bit. Praise and reward the puppy for remaining inside.

• If the puppy tries to push out, gently shut the door or block them with a hand. Use a happy voice and reward the puppy for remaining inside. The next time, open the door even less. Say “OK!” and open the door all the way, encouraging the puppy to come out of the crate.
• At first, only open the door a sliver before you say “OK!” and open it all the way. Gradually build up to being able to open the crate door more and more.
• With several days of practice, puppies should quickly be able to wait as you open the door all the way before you release them to come out.

Once the “Wait” cue has been introduced using at least one of the above exercises, you can start helping the puppy to generalize the cue to other things they might want. Like a stuffed Kong you are holding, a new toy, to go through the door into the backyard, etc. With each new situation, the pup may need a gradual introduction (and blocking/removing access if they make a mistake), but this should go more quickly as they start to generalize!