Dear Critter Corner: We just adopted a new pup and need some advice on teaching him not to dart out the front door anytime it’s opened. We live on a busy street and he has gotten out once and it was very scary! Please help!
I am so glad to hear that your pup is safe and that he wasn’t hurt! I have a few suggestions on how to approach this situation that should help.
One of the first exercises I would teach your pup is a solid wait at doorways. Wait is a little different then our stay and they often get confused. Wait teaches your pup to not move forward through a boundary until released, whereas the stay teaches the pup to remain in a certain position and spot until released. To teach a wait start with boring doorway like the bathroom or a bedroom and walk up to it with your dog. As you approach, cue ‘wait’ and then pivot around so that you are facing your dog and try to take a step or two through the door. If your pup tries to follow, step into their space and give a no reward marker such as uh-uh and get them to back up a step or two. Repeat the above until you are able to get a couple steps from your pup and they are waiting on the other side. Once you are here you can release them through to the other side with you and give them all sorts of praise. I like to use to opportunity to come through a boundary as the reward for this exercise. Once your pup is solid on boring boundaries or doorways, work to the more exciting ones, like the front door.
In addition to teaching your pup the above exercise, you can manage the environment by setting up ex-pens or baby gates to block direct access to the front door. This is usually a good idea if you have a lot of foot traffic in and out of the house or young kids.
If you are still having problems or would like some extra help, you can schedule a 1:1 Consultation with one of our behaviorists or call our Behavior Helpline at ext. 183.