Skip to content
PetariumPetarium

Updated 2026-09-29

Waiting politely for food

Teach calm waiting while the food bowl is put down.

DogsAt each meal
Dog and guardian demonstrating reward-based waiting politely for food

Four-stage reward-based training progression: set up, mark, reward and progress
Set up an easy success, mark the wanted choice, reward promptly and add only one small challenge at a time.

Step by step

  1. Step 1

    Hold the bowl at waist height

    Ask for a sit and begin lowering the bowl.

  2. Step 2

    Lift if the dog gets up

    Calmly raise the bowl again; no telling off.

  3. Step 3

    Release with a word

    When the bowl reaches the floor and the dog is still sitting, say 'free' and let them eat.

  4. Step 4

    Build duration slowly

    Add a second at a time. Keep waits short — this is about calm, not control.

Troubleshooting

  • Dogs that guard food should not do this exercise without a behaviourist's plan.