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Video: Why I (sometimes) Love to Replace a Recall with a Wait
There’s something very cool about a Wait cue given from a distance. (Basically a Stay, but where the dog was not asked for a stationary position like Sit or Down first).
Here’s why I sometimes love to replace a Recall with a Wait:
When outdoors on trails, or in an open field, dogs can be far away from the handler. Wait is a great cue for when they get too far ahead and especially if they see another person or another dog. Typically your dog will want to run right over to other people/dogs. I usually don’t want my dog to approach other people or dogs without me being right there to check out the situation first. A lot of handlers will use a recall to get their dog back to them in that situation. But I find that a Wait cue can be much easier for the dog to follow through on.Wait makes more sense to the dog because they’re really interested in something and they don’t want to suddenly turn their back on that and run away from the interesting thing. Even if they perform the recall, it can get frustrating for them, especially over and over. (Why did I take my eyes/ears/nose away from that? To run over for this food from David? That was more interesting than this food!)
Instead, by waiting where they are, the dog can comply with your self-control request, but also keep observing whatever they are interested in (and not have to turn their back on it). It’s a communication cue that builds two-way respect and understanding and I find dogs are more easily able to comply with it than the constant recall requests that might otherwise be needed on a hike.
The way the cue works from a distance is to first call the dog’s name for attention. Then give the Wait cue. The dog should stay in the area where he is and wait until you get next to him to give the release cue or whatever else may be needed (change direction, put on a leash, etc.). Here’s an example of Lido doing it with me on the hiking trail.
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8 Replies
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@David, I teach “wait” in my group classes but have never thought about using it for this purpose. Such a great idea! I love that it allows them to continue to monitor the environment around them while keeping them safe and helping to foster self control.
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This is a great idea. I would love to teach this to my dog.
So, we teach ‘Wait’ and once performing consistently, then add distance? are there any tips for this?
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Hi @RADS – I’m so glad you asked. Yes, your overview is exactly right – teach Wait right in front of the dog and then gradually build the distance.
For the outcome shown in the video, you’ll also want to teach the dog not to release until you are right back in front of him. So, take care not to start doing releases from afar during the training process. (You can always add that in later if you want to get fancy.)
Also note, for this to work in the context shown, you need a strong response to the name cue. The chain here is really three behaviors (attention to name, wait, release).
Another bonus element is to teach the dog that “go sniff” or “go play” can be a reward cue in and of itself. I’m using freedom to explore as a reward on this one. Not mandatory, but it can be powerful as we’ve discussed here before. (I used food a lot in the beginning, too. The combination of both a food reward and a “release to explore” reward can be a great combo. Sometimes food and then a release, sometimes just the release without any food.)
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I feel like this is a silly question but I would like to clarify. To differentiate between wait and stay, is wait always followed by a release where stay is not?
My mentor taught it by saying wait is when you say the cue and you walk away and then say free so they go back to you. She said stay is when you say the cue, walk away, and then go back to the dog. But in this video the wait cue is given and you walk to the dog and then give a release cue.
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Oops forgot to put @david
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Good technical question. For many cues, there’s an obvious “common meaning” that most people use – like, Sit. But with Stay and Wait, I’ve seen lots of different trainers do it lots of different ways, and I myself have used Wait in different ways over the course of my life with dogs. I know this may not set you at ease with your question, but the answer really is “it’s up to you”! Remember that the meaning of any particular cue is whatever behavior you teach to the dog as successful criteria. The definition is yours to create.
In this case, the Wait I’m using DOES have a release, and could also be considered a Stand-Stay from a distance. It’s basically a Stay, but where the dog was not asked for a stationary position like Sit or Down first, and where I requested it from far away.
There have been other times in my career where I’ve used Wait to just mean “pause” and don’t cross the invisible line in front of you, for a few seconds, and after that short pause, do what you want. Some trainers use that version. It hasn’t been my thing, lately. I’ve been using a release with Wait and it’s been like a “Stay on the go” – stop moving forward, you can keep standing, and wait for my next cue.
Keep in mind I’m not training for an obedience competition with this video – it’s just something I crafted for the situations that come up in real life with my dogs. ????
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Thank you, that was really helpful!
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I love this thread and the video you provided, @david . What a great application.
In my household, “wait” means hang tight for a brief while, until my next cue, which is usually a release cue. In addition, my “wait” means the dog can be in any position (sit, down, or stand), and he can even mill about slightly. I typically use this as I open a door, and in most cases, this is followed by permission to pass through. “Stay,” for me, is a more formal cue that means the dog has to remain in the specific position I cued.
I know some trainers choose not to use a “stay” cue, but rather expect the dog to maintain whatever position was requested until they’re released. When my dogs were involved in animal acting, the concept of a “don’t move” cue (i.e. stay) was super helpful when I had to place them in novel positions not previously trained for. Once positioned, “stay” kept them from moving.
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