The Difference Between 'Wait' and 'Stay' and Why Both Matter
When I’m teaching dogs (and their humans), one of the most common confusions I see is between wait and stay. They sound similar, but for me they mean different things, are used in different ways and both are incredibly valuable skills.
For me, stay means: stay still until I come back to you.
Wait means: pause before movement.
In other words, stay is about stillness and patience, while wait is about self-control before action.
In puppy class, we teach stay as level one, and wait as level two. The reason is simple: dogs are movement-based creatures. They love to move, they anticipate movement, and often they’ll take off before you’re ready. Teaching a reliable stay helps them learn to be comfortable being still first — to understand that calmness and stillness can be rewarding too.
Here are some of the everyday moments I practice a stay:
- When picking up a poop
As I have two dogs, when they both poop and then both want to go in different directions, things can get awkward. Two leads, two poop bags, and two poops to pick up. Sometimes I will put both the dogs in a 'stay' and that clears up my hands for a quick poop pick up.
- Taking a cute photo
I only have a million photos of my dogs and I manage to find opportunities on almost every walk to practice a stay and get a good photo!
- When I need to use a public bathroom while on a dog walk
A little embarrassing to admit, but there have been times that I have been caught short while out on a walk. And even more embarrassing to admit, there has been at least one occasion where I have taken the dogs into the bathroom but not had anywhere to tether them for a short time while I use the facilities. In these (few) instances, having a solid 'stay' has come in real handy!
Once that stillness is solid, you can move on to wait, which teaches your dog to hold back even when they know movement is coming.
Here are some of the everyday moments where I use wait:
1. Opening the Car Door
Before I open the door, my dogs need to wait until I say they can exit the vehicle, for their safety. I’ve looked after dogs who’ve launched themselves straight out of a car door and it is terrifying. Thankfully, it’s never been near traffic, but it could easily have been.
2. At the Front Door
When leaving through front door, I ask my dogs to wait before stepping out. This momentary practice creates a habit that stops them from bolting into the street. This is also for their safety, this helps to implement some impulse control around open doors to anywhere, including driveways, roads or open spaces.
3. Before crossing the road
When I am walking my dogs and we need to cross the road, I stop and say 'wait', pause and give them a reward. Sometimes this is momentary, but if there is traffic coming, it can be longer. They have over time learnt to associate the roadside with a look at me for a reward, and while I don't encourage begging for treats, I am glad to have them check in with me and pause, rather than dash across a road.
There are things I want from my dogs — like “sit” and “down” — and things I need, like “wait” and “leave it.” Those two commands, for me, are the foundation of safety and impulse control.
Tricks are fun - 'sit', 'down' and 'roll over' etc. But impulse control is life-saving and teaching your dog to stay and/or wait is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them.