Rushing IN and Bolting OUT

Some dogs are in such a hurry to get in the house that they can actually knock the owner aside in their rush to enter! This can lead to bruised knees, dropped items, doors knocked off their hinges! Then there are the dogs that RUSH out the door the minute it is opened. Not too much of a problem if it is a door leading to a fenced yard. Normally people don’t mind, but it does instill in the dog the desire to Bolt through ANY opened door. If you live on a busy street or your dog won’t come when it is called, this can be a real problem.

Let’s begin with teaching the dog not to RUSH into the house. When your dog is at the door, without saying anything, slide or open the door and immediately begin to lift your knees and march into the opening. This should startle your dog and cause him to back up a few steps. Praise him, and re-enter the house, closing the door. Leave the area for just a few minutes if it is a glass door, or if one the dog can’t see through, just wait right there. Now, again, when the dog is at the door, open the door and immediately lift those knees and march right in the door opening. Praise your dog if he backs away. If your dog hasn’t backed away, instead of lifting your knees, extend your leg forward as if you were doing a can-can! This is not to "kick" the dog. In fact, you should not have any contact with the dog at all! What you are showing the dog is that sometimes, you may be in a "dancing mood" when the door is opened and to wait there to see if he is invited to enter.

About the third or fourth time you do this, you should see your dog waiting there, watching you or even possibly backing up when the door is opened. Now, you can begin to tell your dog to "WAIT" as you open the door. Think of it as telling your dog to "wait there", who knows if I’m going to dance or not!"

You’ll need to remind your dog that you may be in a dancing mood from time to time. As each time you let your dog rush in without waiting the behavior is breaking down.

When your dog Bolts out the door when you open it for the Pizza Delivery Guy can be dangerous for the dog, for you, and for the Delivery Guy! So, let’s be proactive and train this BEFORE an accident happens.

Put your dog on a leash about six feet long. Have a snug fitting collar on your dog, one that won’t slip over his head. Holding the leash, open the door, and as your dog rushes out, just simply close the door behind your dog. You are in the house, he is outside on the porch, alone. Don’t say anything, count to ten slowly, then open the door and ask your dog in a very quizzical tone, "What Happened?" Invite him back inside, close the door, and continue talking silly about things like, "I thought I heard the phone!" "I’m so sorry that happened." Now, open the door again, letting the dog rush through, close it behind him and wait that count of ten. Again, open the door, apologizing for having not gone with him out the door.

About the third or fourth time you don’t go through the door with your dog, when you next open the door, he will stand there looking at you to see if You are going this time. Praise him! Give him a treat! Now is the time to add the command, "Wait"!

As you put your hand on the door knob, look at your dog and tell him to "Wait". Open the door, your dog should still be watching you to see what you are going to do. Again, praise, treat and tell him "Let’s Go" as you step through the door going for your walk.

Be consistent. Wait means Wait until I tell you to accompany me or invite you to enter.