Dogs need to learn to wait. For more reasons than you may think. This training will help your dog in every part of their lives and yours.
Jumping on visitors, running out of the door when it is open, grabbing food without permission? Maybe they are barking, whining, jumping to get what they want. Everything mentioned comes down to impulse control. If your dog feels they can do what they want right now when they want it (this is their nature) can sometimes end catastrophically.
We need to train the dog to calmly wait and do what is asked. How are we going to do this? NOT giving them what they want because we feel bad, or need them to stop, this is only feeding the fire. When we do this, it is teaching them to act in a certain way to get what they want. We need to stop everything in life when they are becoming maniacs for what they want.
Scenario 1:
Dog is very excited at the door prior to the walk, ride, or just going outside.
1. Stop and wait.
a. When they remain still “MARK”; “good” “yes” “okay” “better” Whatever word you want, with a treat.
b. Followed by a reward, opening the door.
2. Walk out of the door (DON’T LET THEM PULL) and go back to step 1.
3. Continue with what you were doing!
Scenario 2:
You are preparing their meal and they are jumping all over you OR trying to take it before you are done. (Try not to say ANYTHING AT ALL until the end, let them learn)
1. Place the food out of reach of the dog.
2. Walk away.
a. When they calm down go back
i. Remember if they start up again -- repeat! Sometimes it can take some dogs just a bit longer to catch on, but they will!
3. Finish prepping the food.
4. While they are calmly waiting toss a piece here and there for their patients.
5. Put the bowl down without them returning to jumping to grab food while placing it down and go back to step 2, until they wait for you to set it down and stand back up straight)
Extra: Add a word like “okay” “go for it” “now”: this can help with release exercises later.