How to Teach Your Dog to Come Back Through the Pet Door
A pet door is one of the most convenient pet-related items you can ever have in your home. The door allows your dog to come and go as they please, minimizing the risk of bathroom accidents or an overly energetic dog that’s been stuck inside all day.
For most dogs, going through a pet door to escape into the great outdoors is easy. However, coming back through the door to get inside can be a daunting task. Keep reading to learn tips and tricks for teaching your dog to come back through the sliding door pet door.
Remove Flaps or Open the Door
The first step in training your dog to come back through the pet door insert is to remove the flaps or door if they’re detachable. Otherwise, position the door so that it remains in an open position.
Once the door is open, encourage your dog to go through it while you stay inside the house. Call your dog’s name and entice him to come through the door. Be sure to offer plenty of praise and treats.
When your dog comes through the pet door:
- Give him a treat or two
- Offer plenty of praise
- Repeat, repeat, repeat
Be sure to keep training sessions short and always be encouraging, even when your dog takes longer than expected.
Reattach the Flaps/Close the Door
Once your dog has mastered going through the patio pet door, reattach the flaps or put the door into the closed position. To show your dog that you’re on the other side, poke your finger through so that he can see and smell you.
If your dog refuses to go through, open the flaps or the door even more. As your dog comes through the pet door insert, allow the flap to come down over his back. This will help your dog get used to the feel and sound of the flap or the door.
After a few training sessions, your dog won’t have any fear of using the pet door—but, if you find that your small dog is still skittish about using the door, you may want to invest in an electronic dog door for sliding glass door. These doors open automatically, which means your dog doesn’t have to physically open the flaps or the door.
Quality Dog Doors in Australia
Finding the right pet door can make all the difference when training your dog to use and accept the door. At Australia Pet Doors, we offer a variety of pet door insert options, including traditional and electronic models.
All of our pet doors are designed to be easy, safe, and comfortable to use. Check out our website to view our door options. For any questions or concerns, contact us!