How to Keep Your Dog from Running Out the Door
Do you have to hold your dog whenever you answer your front door to prevent them from dashing out the door? Maybe your dog likes bolting out the door when you get home from work? If you are tired of your dog taking off down the street or heading to a neighbour’s home, teaching your dog to prevent this type of behaviour is worthwhile.
Why Does My Dog Dash Out the Door?
Dogs will push their way out the door for a variety of reasons. He or she may be tired of being in the house all day while you were at work. They are overly excited to see you, so, when you open the front door, they want to run out, greet you, and play with you.
They could have seen a squirrel, cat, or another animal out the window and want to check it out, so they dash out the door. Your dog might need to go to the bathroom and run outside to relieve themselves.
Regardless of the reasons, once your dog discovers the thrill and excitement of bolting out the door, it can become a bad habit. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help to prevent this unwanted behaviour.
Step 1: Set Boundaries
The first thing you will want to do is set some boundaries for your dog. Dog gates are a great solution to use around the front door to prevent your dog from ever darting out the house. If the area around the front door is tight, baby gates are another option.
Establishing boundaries where your dog can see the front door but not access it helps remove the temptation to dart out of the door.
Step 2: Hang a Leash Near the Door
Your dog is probably used to being leashed to go for walks. Hang their leash near the front door. Doing this will teach them that they have to get their leash on first if they want to go outside.
Step 3: Give Your Dog a Timeout
Whenever your dog dashes out the door, make sure to give them a timeout when they return. You can place them in their dog crate or lock them in a bathroom for about five minutes. The next time they do it, add one minute to their timeout. Eventually, they will learn that taking off without their leash and unaccompanied is unacceptable behaviour.
Step 4: Praise Your Dog
Whenever your dog listens and does not take off out the front door, let them know. You can pet them and say ‘good boy’ or ‘good girl’, or give them a treat. Encouraging your dog in this manner reinforces good behaviour.
Step 5: Teach Your Dog to Sit and Stay
Your ultimate goal is to teach your dog to wait, sit, and stay at the front door whenever it is opened. Start with the door closed and tell them to sit. Now, open the door a few inches. If they start to get up, close the door.
Repeat this process until they can remain sitting with the door fully opened. Once the door is open, allow them to go outside with you as a reward. Remember to praise them during their dog training whenever they listen and obey.
Step 6: Be Consistent
You need to make sure to be consistent with your dog training. Your dog will not learn if you do not take time with your dog every day. You should spend at least 15 minutes working with them. Reward them whenever they are making progress.
What If My Dog Escapes?
Your dog will probably test their boundaries when training them not to take off when the door is opened. Most likely, they will get out at some point. When they do, it is important to not reinforce this type of behaviour by using these helpful tips:
#1: Do not chase after your dog.
Chasing after your dog will let them know this is now a game. They will be excited to run out the door again just so you will chase after them and play with them. Instead, stand at the door and call their name until they return, and then put them in timeout.
#2: Avoid sending mixed messages.
Dog owners need to be careful not to send mixed messages to their dogs when training them not to dash out the door. For example, if your dog darts out and you let them run around and do not give them a timeout one time, and a timeout another time, they will be confused by the mixed messages they are receiving.
#3: Give them the freedom to explore safely.
Enclosing a small area in the backyard and installing a doggie door is a great way to give your dog the freedom to go outside whenever they want and prevent them from taking off. When dogs have this sense of freedom, they are less likely to bolt out the front door when you open it. Since they get to go outside whenever they want, it is not as big of a deal to them whenever you open the front door.
#4: Resist yelling at your dog.
Yelling at your dog is counterintuitive and will not result in the dog behaviour you want. Instead, remain calm and use a strong, firm tone of voice when your dog returns to let them know they were bad as you put them in timeout.
#5: Hire a dog trainer.
If you are having difficulties training your dog and they constantly take off whenever you open a door, you might benefit from getting professional help from a dog trainer to get your dog to wait, sit, and stay when you open the door.
As you can imagine, keeping your dog from running out the door does require having patience and spending time training them to avoid this unwanted behaviour.
To find a doggie door for your dog so they can have some freedom going outside on their own in an enclosed area in your backyard, please feel free to browse our online store or contact Australia Pet Doors at 0437-644-330 today!