The wait command tells your dog to pause, in whatever position he's in or you put him in, until you release him. Combined with the sit and eye contact you've already taught him, wait will be used more than any other command in the early stages of training your dog.

Introducing the Concept of Waiting

Your dog probably has no idea that waiting before he does something he wants is even possible, let alone desirable. To introduce the concept to him, start with him on leash, and toss a treat just out of his reach. Let him do anything he wants except get to the treat. Just hang in there and wait for him to stop trying to pull you toward the treat. As soon as he takes tension off the leash (even better if he looks at you), insert your wait command, “Wait,” praise him, and give him a treat before releasing him, “Okay, take it” to get the treat on the ground. Repeat a few times, and you should notice the time he tries to get the tossed treat decreasing. At that point, say, “Wait” as you toss the treat. If your dog waits and watches you expectantly instead of lunging after the treat on he floor, have a little party and quit for that session. In future sessions, work toward having your dog wait before you toss the treat. Sometimes release him to it, and sometimes make him continue to wait while you pick it up and deliver it to him.

Wait in Motion

When he's doing well with the wait command, introduce it when he's in motion, first when he's just walking around the house, then when you're out for a stroll. You can use his name with the command, “Spot, wait! Yes! Good wait!” Step on the dragline, or give him a little pull on the leash if needed. Praise and pet him for waiting, then release him to go about his business. As he gets better at it, let him get further away before you call him to wait, or ask him to wait when he's trotting or even running.