Correct ME for this "wait command"

[Anthony8858]

Hi,
I've been working on a "wait" command with Kira. I use it every time I exit or enter a doorway, car, etc....
When I say "wait", I've used it to mean that another command is coming. I would have her wait in the car, while I remove the groceries, then release her. I would have her wait, while the kids walk out the front door.


However, the mistake I've made, is I've used the WAIT command to stop her in her tracks. If she charges the front door, I would say "KIRA WAIT", and she would stop and sit (see video).

In the video below, I was walking in the woods, and she heard a few birds up ahead. I took my chances, and let her run. ( I knew she couldn't go anywhere harmful)
I commanded her to wait, and as you can see, she waited for her next command.


When she comes to me, I always like to drop her down.

****Disregard the untimely "good girls" of praise

How can I improve on this? I feel that "wait" is the wrong command.
I feel that I did everything wrong here.

I would like some constructive critism (you guys are pretty good at that)

Opinions welcomed

Kira wait - YouTube

Kira wait - YouTube

[Jack's Dad]

Looks good to me. I'm for whatever works. Wouldn't matter if you made up a word.
She's responding and doing what you want. Great job.

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by Jack's Dad

Looks good to me. I'm for whatever works. Wouldn't matter if you made up a word.
She's responding and doing what you want. Great job.

Thank you.

At six months old, I'm trying not keep my expectations too high. I'm a pet owner, not a trainer in any sense, but I do strive for a well behaved dog in my family.

Kira is very close to me, and very much in tune with my needs.
I can only imagine how well she would have done in the hands of a professional.

[Holmeshx2]

Seems fine to me (minus the forwarned delayed praise on the first wait lol)

I do a stay command and a wait command. Wait with me is very informal all I want her to do is stop what she's doing and focus on me for further instruction.

Like Jack's Dad said I'm all for what works even if you told her orange and she did exactly what she did.

Now take this for whatever you want because it's your training and your use of the command but for me and what I do is make a distinction between between stay and wait. If it was my dog and me doing it when we were in the car I'd tell her "stay" then give her a release command to exit the vehicle. To me "stay" is to stay in your position and don't move and "wait" is just stop and look for further instruction.

Just for the record I do the exact same thing on off leash hikes I yell out wait and she spins around and looks at me then generally I will either say "ok" for her to keep going or put my hand up in a stop signal for her to stay until I get closer to her then i release her to keep going.

You are doing a great job with her don't think you're failing her at all and don't be so down on yourself.

[Anthony8858]

QUOTE=Holmeshx2;2369432]Seems fine to me (minus the forwarned delayed praise on the firrst wait lol)

I do a stay command and a wait command. Wait with me is very informal all I want her to do is stop what she's doing and focus on me for further instruction.

Like Jack's Dad said I'm all for what works even if you told her orange and she did exactly what she did.

Now take this for whatever you want because it's your training and your use of the command but for me and what I do is make a distinction between between stay and wait. If it was my dog and me doing it when we were in the car I'd tell her "stay" then give her a release command to exit the vehicle. To me "stay" is to stay in your position and don't move and "wait" is just stop and look for further instruction.

Just for the record I do the exact same thing on off leash hikes I yell out wait and she spins around and looks at me then generally I will either say "ok" for her to keep going or put my hand up in a stop signal for her to stay until I get closer to her then i release her to keep going.

You are doing a great job with her don't think you're failing her at all and don't be so down on yourself.[/QUOTE]

LOL.... I wasn't sure whether or not I was supposed to praise her from such a distance. I was concerned that it would break her concentration.

[Holmeshx2]

lol a marker to let them know when they did right is very important. When I'm doing a long stay I keep my hand up in the stop position just to reinforce it. When we were/are in the learning stages I will also reinforce it by saying things like "good stay" a few times during the course of her staying there to help build up the duration of her stays.

You don't so much need her to hold her "wait" if your using it like I think you are. So when she stops in her tracks it should be an instant praise she did phenomenal at stopping as soon as you said wait she definitely gets a good girl for that just give her a quick good girl but not too overly enthusiastic so she doesn't come running trying to play.

[robk]

I think you are doing great with your dog. I also think you are having fun with your dog. That is the way it should be.

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by Holmeshx2

lol a marker to let them know when they did right is very important. When I'm doing a long stay I keep my hand up in the stop position just to reinforce it. When we were/are in the learning stages I will also reinforce it by saying things like "good stay" a few times during the course of her staying there to help build up the duration of her stays.

You don't so much need her to hold her "wait" if your using it like I think you are. So when she stops in her tracks it should be an instant praise she did phenomenal at stopping as soon as you said wait she definitely gets a good girl for that just give her a quick good girl but not too overly enthusiastic so she doesn't come running trying to play.

Yes, That's why I had a pause in my praise ...LOL I was very proud of her, but really didn't want to say it.. but couldn't help myself

Originally Posted by robk

I think you are doing great with your dog. I also think you are having fun with your dog. That is the way it should be.

Thank you.
I'm having so much fun with her. I'm going through some very challenging times in my life, and she's been my bright spot.

Sometimes, I feel as if my "fake, yet stern" voice might intimidate her, but she responds to it. If I don't say "DOWN" (in a stern voice), she gives it second thought. She respects a little toughness from me.

This "Wait" exercise allows me to build a little confidence in myself, for off leash walking in the woods. There's lots of wildlife around her, and I'd be mortified if she took off, and ignored my recall.

[doggiedad]

i use "wait" the same way you do. sometimes if my dog
is to far in front of me i say "stop" i can also say "wait".
at some point your dog will probably wait without a command.

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

i use "wait" the same way you do. sometimes if my dog
is to far in front of me i say "stop" i can also say "wait".
at some point your dog will probably wait without a command.

I'm glad I brought this up. I really thought i was using the wrong command.

What's funny..... After the "wait workout", she set an imaginary boundary about 100 feet in front of me. Each time she hit that approximate distance, she turned, sat, waited. If I didn't continue moving, she'd come get me.

They are just so brilliant. It's truly amazing.