How to Train Dogs to Use a Dog Door

When you decide to get a dog door, you think it will be a cinch to train your dog to use a dog door. However, some are harder to train than others. Some tips to help your dog learn how to use the dog door.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog
• Dog door

1. 

   You got a dog door so your dogs can let themselves out during the day to play, go to the bathroom, or chill outside- and of course to make things easier on you. I got up an average of 20 times a day to let in and out my dogs so decided to get the dog door. To my amazement, they didn't take to it as well as I had thought! First thing to do is introduce them to the dog door and make them comfortable with it.

2. 

   Lift open the flap and encourage your dog to go through on his own. If he does not, be prepared to go to the opposite side and lift the flap. Some dogs take a lot of encouragement while others tentatively proceed forward to their trustworthy owner. Regardless of your dogs' timidness level, reward him with praise. Some might need a treat on the other side to venture through the unknown dog door flap.

3. 

   Next step is not to lift the flap for your dog. Stand on the opposite side of the door and encourage your dog. Once he is successful, praise him and reward him with a treat (if applicable). Pretty soon your dogs will jump in and out of the dog door a hundred times a day to where you wonder how you survived without a dog door before! This has proven successful in my dogs as well as visiting dogs.

4. 

   Now sometimes there is a stubborn dog who can't or won't get the concept. My husband actually got down on his hands and knees and went through the dog door. The moment he did this, the visiting Lab followed him immediately thinking it was a game. The only dog we could not get to use the dog door (we board a lot of dogs) was a little terrier who was too small to go through the Large pet door- though he still tried to jump through on occasion.

5. 

   Train your dog to know when the insert is put into the door to close it off. The first time I did this, my Lab jumped into the hard plastic with full force- he quickly learned that he needed to proceed with caution. Now it seems they have a sixth sense on when the insert has been put in to keep them outside (and they can see it when they're inside so don't try to go out during that time).

Tips & Warnings

• Don't lose patience. Your dog will eventually get it. Our lab still has to be reminded from time to time that it is okay to come in years after he has learned- perhaps he thinks we closed the door off while he was outside. Most dogs have no hesitation.

[nancyzee]

on 9/22/2009 Great tips. I and my dog have been struggling with this all summer. I recommend you!

[mymukki]

on 8/2/2009 Great advice on training dogs to use a doggy door! We have 4 siberian huskies and the doggy door has saved my sanity. Our puppy was the first to use it and the others slowly caught on, one stubborn girl took forever but now she uses it. 5*

[edieness]

on 7/10/2009 Nice work writing How to Train Dogs to Use a Dog Door.

[knowball]

on 6/29/2009 Love the story about your husband going through the dog door. You do what you have to do!

[MariM]

on 5/10/2009 Good tips on training your dog to go out a doggy door.5*