Callie learned sit and stay in puppy classes so when the door would open we would stand between her in front door keeping her a few feet away from the front door and say sit (give her a treat for the sit) and praise her for that and then say stay until the person is out the door (and give her a treat) and we still always tell her how good she is after she does it. Callie now doesn't go out even if you don't tell her to sit and stay but most of the time we do out of habit. If your kids are older there is no reason they cannot shut the gate and you might have to explain to them if you don't shut the gate the dog is going to get out and could get hit by a car and get very hurt or killed. My dad had a problem shutting the gate so he put a bungee cord on it so it would not stay open it would snap closed.
__________________  Taylor  My babies Joey, Penny , Ollie & Dixie   Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |