How to Stop a Dog From Door Dashing

Running out the door is fun, and this makes it really hard to stop a dog from door dashing. If you chase your dog, this only adds to the naturally occurring reward that comes with escape. It does not get much better for a dog than running, sniffing new smells, chasing a cat and having her beloved human crying out her name and giving chase. Though it is not an easy behavior to train, door dashing can be curbed with management and training.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Manage the Situation for Safety

1. To stop door dashing through training, you must first manage the situation. Do not allow your dog near the front door. Block the entry way with baby gates, confine him to the kitchen or laundry room or do whatever else it takes to keep him from getting near the door until he has been trained to come or stay in place.

2. If you are supervising your dog and he is not confined, keep a leash by the front door and put it on your dog before you open it.

3. Put a sign on the inside of your door that reads "Where is the dog?" to remind you to be sure he is not waiting to launch as you open the door.

4. Put a sign on the outside of the door that says "Dog in training, please be patient." This will let visitors know that you may take a little longer to answer the door and will allow you time to secure your dog before you open it.

Train to Stop Door Dashing

5. Once you have a system in place to secure your front door, you may begin training your dog not to dart out the door. You begin training appropriate doorway behaviors in front of a closed door.

6. Teach "Back." Step toward your dog. When she takes a step back, praise and toss a treat behind her. It is often helpful if you toss the treat onto a small rug or dog bed that is near the door but not too close. This will eventually encourage the dog to run and sit on the mat.

7. Once your dog gets the treat you tossed, ask her to sit. When she sits, reward her again.

8. Repeat steps 2 and 3 several times. Take a break. Begin the process again, and during each successive session, wait to deliver the treat after she sits for longer periods of time. Practice this process several times per day until she seems to really understand that "Back" means to back up and sit.

9. When she will back up and sit still in the area that you wish for her to be in for 30 seconds before you deliver the treat, it is time to move to the next step.

10. Go to the door, place your hand on the knob. Say "Back." Cue her to "Sit." Toss a treat and offer praise.

11. Go to the door, place your hand on the knob. Say "Back." Cue her to "Sit." Open the door a little; if she gets up, abruptly close the door. If she is successful in waiting, toss a treat and praise.

12. Repeat this step for some time, increasing the door's opening gradually and backing up a step if she tries to go out the door. You should also place a 10-foot lead on her in the event that she does make it past the threshold. You will be able to stomp on it and stop her.

13. Once your dog will sit in front of the open door, gradually add distractions such as the doorbell, a visitor and so forth. If you work on this a few minutes each day, your dog will learn that it is rewarding to stay inside the house and be less apt to run out.

Tips & Warnings

• Get obedience training, and train recall as a top priority. Practice it daily.
• Practice waiting at the door before walks, and always ask for a sit before you go out the door.
• Do not punish your dog for coming to you, even if he did run out the door.
• The more opportunities a dog has to practice door dashing, the more ingrained the behavior becomes.
• Do not allow your dog to drag you out the front door when going for walks.

[dawnzlight]

on 8/5/2008 great article. I have read back and stay and wasnt too impressed with that option..but back and SIT is perfect.