How to train your dog to use the dog door

If a new dog door has just been installed in the front door, or a pet has recently entered the house, it needs to be taught how to use this hole. The use of such a door is not an intuitive skill for dogs, so tips on how to train a four-legged friend to use it can come in handy even for the most experienced owners. How to train your pet to use the dog door?

The Benefits of Laz for Dogs

A dog door is a small opening in the front door of a home that leads to a secure, fenced, walled, or enclosed yard. This device allows the pet to play in the yard, go to the toilet and breathe fresh air at will.

You can train your dog not only to come to the door when he needs to go to the toilet, but also to go outside on his own through this hole. This is very convenient for pets who understand that they need to go out, do their business, and then return as soon as possible.

For security reasons the pet door should be locked when family members are not at home, and also at night when the whole family is sleeping. This will prevent intruders of all types, including wild animals, from entering your home.

How do dogs react to dog access doors?

If your pet has never used a dog door, they will likely be a little wary of it. This is a new task for him, and the owner can help him with this, as he helped with other training tasks, including leash training and obedience training.

To use the dog door, the four-legged friend has to push the door, which looks like part of a solid door. According to American Kennel Club (AKC), for a dog this is an atypical movement that can lead to confusion. You need to be patient and call on the help of a friend or relative to cheer up the pet and show him what’s what.

How to train a dog door

Dogs love games! To teach your pet to use the door, you need to turn learning into an exciting game. The owner will achieve maximum success if he asks for help from the household. The scheme may be as follows:

• Remove the flap or lock it in the raised or open position. Let someone stay in the house with the dog, and the owner will go outside and sit on the other side of the door so that she can see him through the opening.
• Then you should call your pet in a cheerful voice and hold out a treat so that he sees him. This will prompt him to climb through the open door to reunite with his family members and receive a reward. As soon as the dog approaches, you need to praise him and stroke him to show that he did everything right.
• Repeat the exercise several times until the pet begins to confidently pass through the hole. Eventually, your dog will use the door on his own more often.

After the four-legged friend has mastered this game, you should repeat the same steps with the door closed, but not locked. The owner may have to move the sash with his hand to demonstrate to the dog that he can do it too, and show him that his beloved yard is on the other side. When she climbs through the door, you need to pay attention to whether the dog is worried when the door touches his coat. You may have to hold the door flap for her until she knows it’s safe to touch it.

You can temporarily replace the standard sash with something less rigid, such as a towel. In the end, the sash can be put in place.

In addition, it is important to teach the dog to return to the house on command or after he has done his business outside. It should also wean her to go out and stay there in inclement weather. You can use the training methods described above to train your pet to come back inside in these situations.

The dog door provides the pet with the opportunity to go to the toilet at will without the help of a person. This will give the owner the opportunity to be proud that an independent four-legged friend at the same time feels safe and pleased with himself. This training task may take more than one day to complete, but the independence that your beloved dog eventually gains is definitely worth it.

See also:

• Tips for Proper Home Puppy Training
• How to Reward Good Behavior
• Back to school: pets at home alone
• 9 basic commands to teach your puppy