Useful behaviors to train: Wait

Wait: 

This is less precise than a formal stay.  The dog may shift position but should not wander off unless released to do so.  It is useful on walks while you stoop to pick up poop, or when you are heading through a gate or door, and you want to tell the dog to stay behind.  Until this behavior is well installed, use some other training-tricks to get through without conflict.  At the gate or door, toss some treats around your dog and tell him to “find it.”  Use this moment of distraction to slip through.   Praise the dog for waiting.  If the dog prefers to dash than to eat even your tastiest morsels, consider tethering the dog on his side of the door or gate as an aid while you train this behavior.  Set him up for success, tell him “wait,” even though he’s tied up and can’t help it, and reward him!   This tells your dog what you want him to do.  With time, initially brief absences, and patience (and maybe really good rewards), you should be able to get the dog to transfer this behavior to when he is off his tether.

You can practice yet another technique when he is leashed and you are ready to take him for a walk.  Tell him either to wait or to sit-stay, and open the gate (or door) ever so slightly.  If the dog moves, shut the door, but be careful not to injure him!  The idea is to prevent access to the other side, not to make contact with the dog, and certainly not to cause pain.  Whenever the dog holds still, reward him, release him, and open the gate.  Encourage the dog to hold still longer and longer (upon various occasions) until you can open the door completely, and the dog holds still.  This should not be due to tension on the leash, but due to the dog’s own volition and understanding of what you want.  Jackpot!  Eventually you can dispense with the treats when heading out together; the walk itself serves as the reward for polite waiting.