When I was training my baby to use a doggie door, my son sat on the outside with a treat. I took Tia, and gently "pushed" her up to the doggie door, then just gently pushed her thru it, so she saw that if she pushed on those flaps, she could go thru....it was not a wall or a closed door! My son was on the other side, and made a HUGE deal of her coming thru by herself, and gave her the treat. After doing this about 4 times, she had the hang of it, and she now pushes thru any "closed" door or doggie door she comes to with no problem! (Her pushing open doors that are ajar...like the bathroom door, or the laundry room door, is one of those "consequential side effect" of learning the behavior...and she joins me in the bathroom, the laundry room, etc...!!) |