How to Train Your Dog to Use the Doggy Door

Doggy doors can be quite a convenience for dog owners and a source of freedom for their pooches. There are a variety of doggie doors on the market including those designed for standard doors, screen doors, sliding glass doors and even garage doors. They provide a place for your pet to come and go on his own for a quick pee break or a few laps around the yard to chase a squirrel. Doggy doors are particularly convenient for owners of puppies or senior dogs who need to use the restroom more often than other dogs. They are also a welcome aid to couch potato owners who would like for their dog to have the option of coming and going as he pleases. Other owners simply feel better knowing that their dog has access to the yard as well as their comfy bed and food bowl while they are away at work.

While a doggy door sounds like the solution to a host of dog problems, it can be a nightmare for some dog owners. Some rush out to purchase a top of the line, energy efficient doggy door and then return home to carefully install it only to find that their dog refuses to go through it. This can be extremely frustrating for you and your dog, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. With some training for your dog combined with some patience from you, your dog will soon be going in and out on his own in no time.

As any training with your dog, start slowly. Let your dog explore the new door upon bringing it home. Let him see you take it out of the box and allow him to sniff it and investigate it on his own terms. Upon installation, let your dog begin the investigation process again all over again without your intervention. The door can be a major road block for some dogs so before you try to get him to go through the door, try tacking or propping the door up and out of the way. Make sure that the door is firmly intact and out of the way because if it falls on your dog during his first attempt to pass he will likely be afraid to try again.

Once your dog seems comfortable with the new door and the door flap is safely out of the way try laying out a trail of irresistible treats from one side of the door to the other. Try small pieces of hot dogs or cheese, not standard treats he gets regularly. Most dogs will go through the door at this point, but if your dog does not, do not force him to do so. Simply allow him to eat the treats inside and try again the next day. Training will work best with a hungry dog so try not feeding him the morning you start training again. Once your dog has followed the treat trail through the door give him plenty of attention and praise. Next time simply try sitting outside of the door holding a treat and call your dog to come through and get it.

After a few days of this try slowly lowering the flap and repeating the treating behavior. Over the next few days repeat this process until he comes through the door flap and all. Be patient during this process. If you force your dog he will likely not want to use the door in the future. You are essentially working to gain your dog’s trust and build his confidence with a new experience. Confident and well-adjusted dogs will sometimes complete this training in a matter of minutes while the more timid variety may take a week or two to push through on their own.

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