Self-control is absolutely necessary for a calm, confident, and well-behaved dog. By nature, dogs are impulsive, often easily distracted, and driven to satisfy literally every whim that comes to mind. Until you teach him otherwise, your dog probably doesn't even know it's possible to control his impulses, but with your help, he'll learn both how to do it, and why he should.

Help Your Dog Control His Impulses

He's not going to do it just because you want him to. You have to have a way to make sure he doesn't get rewarded for the wrong, thing, like lunging at the food bowl before you release him. You can either set yourself up to help him control his natural impulse to dive on the food before he actually does it, or you can engage him in a conflict when you try to grab him by the collar and haul him off the meal he's scarfing down as fast as he can. Repeated conflicts like that could even make him defensive or protective of resources. Just avoid the confrontation altogether by keeping him on a leash or dragline until it's his habit to practice politeness and self-control. When you don't have to pick up the leash or dragline to help him make the right decision for six weeks, it's time to try him without it. Don't be shy about snapping it right back on for a few days here and there if his newfound freedom is a little too much for him to handle (it's kind of like taking the car keys away from a sixteen-year-old driver caught speeding).

Make Self-control Relevant to Your Dog's Life

If you're consistent about using and enforcing the wait command in your everyday activities with your dog, it'll become relevant to his life in a very short amount of time. When he can't get access to things he wants to see, smell, do, eat, or play with until he waits patiently for you to release him, it's in his own best interest to respond to your command promptly and without challenge. For now, the responsibility for making sure he does respond correctly, and doesn't get access to the good stuff until he's been released, is yours. Figure out all the ways that having your dog wait can make your life easier, and then teach him to follow your command in those situations.