Train Your Dog for a Magnetic Dog Door

Many dog doors work by using a magnetic flap. The dog can push through the flap, and after it does, the flap’s magnet reattaches to the bottom of the doorframe. But some dogs are initially frightened of the magnetic flaps, either because of the clicking noise made by some magnets, or because pushing through the flap makes the dog feel covered or trapped. Here are a few steps you can take to help train a skittish dog to use the magnetic dog door comfortably.

First, remove the flap entirely or tape it out of the way. Using dog treats or other snacks your dog loves, call the dog to you through the open dog door. Once the dog comes through, give it the treat and play with it for a while before putting it back outside and repeating the process. Once the dog is comfortable doing this, use a towel or rag to partially cover the dog door, ensuring the dog can still see through it, and repeat.

As the dog gets used to the partially covered dog door, move up to a piece of light cardboard or similar material that will cover the whole dog door but not give much resistance to the dog’s pushing through. Finally, when the dog is completely comfortable using the covered door, try it with the flap. Be ready to comfort the dog if the magnetic click startles your animal the first few times, but aside from that, your dog should now be ready to use its magnetic flap dog door to come in and out on its own.

Many pets will get used to the magnetic flap without any difficulty, and are able to use the pet door with only very limited enticement, especially if they have used pet doors before.

For more information about magnetic dog doors, or to learn about dog door installation in Brisbane / Gold Coast, contact us online, or call 0433 140 588.