“Break on through to the other side… break on through to the other side… break on through…”
No, I’m not quoting Jim Morrison. I’m describing how your dogs feel about the doors to your house, your car, etc. Doors tend to have some form of excitement behind them, whether it’s a simple walk beyond your front door or some great dog park adventure beyond the car door. These are incredibly exciting things for dogs, and that’s why they’re so eager to break on through to the other side.
Going out to see who peed on the lawn may not seem like a big deal to us, but for a dog it is as thrilling as Hannah Montana tickets are for a kid. A guest coming to the door and you coming home are also huge events that can lead to some form of canine craziness, like jumping and barking, or even, in some cases, aggression.
Doors can trigger behavior ranging from the simply annoying (and maybe damaging to your clothes) to dangerous and even life-threatening when dogs have no impulse control. Some bolt out the door and don’t come back when called, which can lead to a prolonged “chase me” game and running into the street. Some fly out of the car like a jack in the box, also a very dangerous street situation. Some may feel the need to bite a stranger they see as an intruder.
So what can we do about it?
I am going to assume that you and your dog have already done some basic obedience training and talk about the application of those skills. If aggression is one of your issues, these tips won’t lead to a cure, but they will enhance your leadership skills, a big factor in aggression cases. So here we go:
Wait Practice your wait command consistently at all doors. That means every door, every time, whether coming in or going out. You can practice with the leash on, but really try not to use it. The idea is for this to work off-leash, so use your voice and body language and block with your body rather than the leash. “Wait” simply means “don’t cross this threshold.” It is not a stay and your dog does not have to sit or do anything else. Some people find this difficult and get more control with a stay, but it is not necessary. A wait is more casual and does the trick.
Stay Practice sit- and down-stays at the door. Start with the door closed and then start to open it. Again, use a leash or long line if you need to, but try not to; it’s only there for safety. Work up to adding guests coming in as a distraction.
Load Up Practice using control getting in and out of the car, consistently, every time. Practice sit-stays and down-stays in the car.
Tether You may want to tether your dog to something when you have guests coming over until you think you have reached the point of not needing a leash. Never leave dogs unattended on tethers because they can strangle themselves.
Applying these obedience exercises will go a long way toward safety and sanity in your daily life, as well as affirming your leadership position. You will know this is working when your dog begins waiting on his own without trying to barge out the door.
Remember to make training fun and rewarding while remaining consistent and firm. Don’t forget the 3 F’s of dog training – Fun, Firm, and Fair.
Be proud of and praise every improvement, no matter how small. These exercises may be difficult for some high-energy dogs and almost impossible if you are not giving your dog enough exercise and socialization. Things will improve with patience and practice. Don’t wait, start now.
“The time to hesitate is through.”
– Jim Morrison, The Doors
Chad Culp is a certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, and owner of Thriving Canine: Dog Training and Walking Services. He travels the bay area doing behavior consults and conducts obedience and non-competitive agility classes in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. To contact him, email chad@thrivingcanine.com.
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