Seeing things through: doggie door training tips

A doggie door can be an essential part of your dog’s potty time. There’s only one hiccup to the process: getting him to use the portal. While your pooch may be reluctant to utilize the contraption at first, this aversion can be overcome with a little training.

Doggie Door Reluctance may be Rooted in Fear

A dog taking to using a doggie door is something that can be a bit more complex than other canine behaviors. Some dogs will figure out how to use the flap and take to utilizing it right away while other ones may appear to not pick up on its mechanics. Sometimes, a dog may not even approach the doggie door at all.

We may be initially inclined to assume this behavior is rooted in a dog’s intelligence and his ability to problem solve. And it may be fair to say that intellect does play a factor in their reluctance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a dumb dog. Rather, the perceived lack of smarts may be a product of fear or intimidation.

This fear may be due to the dog simply not realizing that freedom stands on the other side of the flap of plastic. It could also be a product of him being scared of the flap smacking them as they pass through the flap. This could stem from your pooch curiously poking his nose through the plastic, and noticing that the flap swings back toward them.

When you work with your pooch to get him to use the doggie door, it’s important that you keep in mind that he may be afraid of walking through the covered hole. This is why you should never push your pooch through as a means to train him. Forcing him to do so may make the behavior feel like a punishment to him, which may end up producing unintended negative ramifications.

So, What’s the Best Way to Go About Getting Him Through the Doggie Door?

Like pretty much anything that is connected to desirable canine behavior, doing some basic training exercises is the key to finding success in getting your dog through the doggie door. At its heart, the training is built on the concepts of simplicity, rewards, and praise. However, because there is a sheath of material involved, it is wise to make sure your pooch gets used to this material making contact with his body during the training process.