Does your pup race out the door every time you open it??!!

[BellaBlue82]

Hello all! I searched the threads for this question before I asked it, assuming my Sasha isn't the only yorkie that does this, but I couldn't find anything! Every time I open my front door it seems that she's waiting right there and darts out! She runs all the way to the other end of the neighborhood and starts barking like crazy at all of the other dogs down there (thankfully they're all behind gates in back yards). Every time I have to get in my car and chase her, it takes like, 20 minutes... and I'm going crazy about it! I ended up making a sign that said "Before you open the door, where's Sasha?" and hung it right by the doornob so that everyone in the house would make it a point to know where she is before they exit. This has helped a little, but does anyone have any good advice as to what other steps I could take in training her not to do this. I'm just so scared that one day someone's big dog will be outside and she'll become a snack...

[my2boyz]

No, and I have 3 that greet us when we come in the door. All we've ever done is say 'you stay' when we open the door and they have never run out.

[Bsmith55]

Sounds like she's established herself as alpha in your pack. You have to get that back. Use a leash to train her to always follow your lead out the door. This is a very dangerous issue. Find a local obedience class to help get things under control.

[bellababy08]

I have 2 and they do not go out the door at all...I train the "stay" command and everytime I have to open the door before I do...I tell them to sit and stay than I open the door and they know once I close's the door, they can come greet whoever it is...If I'm leaving and I have my hand bag I don't have to say anything to them anymore but see ya later babies and as soon as I get to the door I look back and both are standing in the hallway just watching me leave...they know, that door is off limits to them unless they have there leash and harness on.

You need to train the "stay" command...I think that and the "come" command are one of the most important to train for there safety.

[Furbaby Friend]

It is better to teach the "release" command rather than "stay" for this sort of problem. I had this exact same problem with Rylie:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...me-darter.html

I found that teaching her "release" was the best thing I ever did. You start out small only having them hold the sit/lay down for a little while, giving the release command, and rewarding with a treat. If they get up before you give the ok, you just correct them back into the sit/lay down. Eventually, they realize that only when you say "release" are they allowed to move. As they get better at it, you add distractions.

I can now jump around like a freak, say other random words, jump OVER her, pet her, throw toys/treats... you get the picture... and Rylie will NOT move until I give her the release command.

To get the door into the mix. We practiced the same way as the initial command. Put her in the sit/lay down and go and open the door a smidge. If she moves immediately shut the door (I also like to say "ah ah ah"), and correct her back into the sit/lay down. Go back to the door and open it a crack again and if she successfully stays, calmly shut the door and give her the "release" command and a reward. Progressively increase how wide you open the door.

We are now to the point where I can put her in the sit/lay down, open the door wide open, walk OUT the door and continue to hold it wide open and she WILL NOT move until I give her the release command. In fact, Rylie no longer even lunges for the door when we open it (even without putting her in the sit/lay down). She has just learned that she is not allowed out unless I pick her up and take her out there. I even pick her up to take her over the threshold to go on walks. That way, she never walks out the door herself and does not think that it is okay to do so.

Sorry for being so long winded. Read my old thread and what I posted here and see if it helps you at all. I hope it works for you! My little Rylie is a reformed door darter and your little one can be too!

[Britster]

No, I taught Jackson from the get-go to stay when a door is opened unless he is released. Stay is sooo super important. Check out youtube users zakgeorge21, kikopup, pamelamarxsen for some awesome dog training videos.

Here is one:

YouTube - 'How to train' Door Dashing Dogs

[mscat]

I have a Screen door , that has helped us so much. They can't zoom out . But, were on the second floor with a balcony. They are trained not to go down the steps, both dogs never do that. They are never unsupervised either . My problem, is that Suzi goes nuts when someone goes to our door. Barking her head off loudly. If I pick her up , she stops the barking instantly. The little shih Tzu does not bark at all. Only our yorkie, our watchdog. Sometimes the mail lady has to leave packages at the door , because it is very hard to contain the 2 of them at the same time.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Tibbe used to but now he's trained not to do it. Am still in the process of having him stay in place as I open the door to and interact with a delivery man, etc. He no longer rushes out the door when they are there but he does unch closer - we're still working on that. I'm only able to train and work with him on that issue a couple of times a week so that training is going slower but we will get there. Yorkies love to train and I'll bet yours will prove to be no different.

[JeanieK]

I tell mine "Stay Back" and they don't rush out. When I was teaching them, I would just open the door alittle and tell them "stay Back" and block the opening with my foot. They learned not to try to rush out.

Occasionally, if someone is at the door, they will try it. So I always make sure they are listening before I open the door.

My problem is more with the guests than with the dogs, People will just stand in the doorway instead of getting through it. I tell them, just keep walking. The dogs will only stay back for so long before they rush to the guest.

[Maxman]

Whenever the pizza guy comes,Max jumps the doggie gate,flies down the stairs,and runs outside(most times I catch him before he makes it outside)He never goes far though,usually to the driveway,then he turns around and looks at me,like he knows he's wrong and he just want's to see how mad I am,and how much he can get away with!Usually a stern "STAY" and he stays,then I go pick him up and bring him in the house.It makes me sooooo mad,but,it's hard to stay mad at the Maxman!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I tell mine "Stay Back" and they don't rush out. When I was teaching them, I would just open the door alittle and tell them "stay Back" and block the opening with my foot. They learned not to try to rush out.

Occasionally, if someone is at the door, they will try it. So I always make sure they are listening before I open the door.

My problem is more with the guests than with the dogs, People will just stand in the doorway instead of getting through it. I tell them, just keep walking. The dogs will only stay back for so long before they rush to the guest.

Ditto. I was shocked at how quickly mine learned. One day I decided to teach them so I went to the door (they were right behind me falling all over themselves and fighting for position) and I just turned the knob and they about broke their necks pushing on the door ready to bolt. I said 'Get Back' and when they all moved back, I turned the knob again. They all rushed the door again.

About the 3rd or 4th time, they sat there. So I opened the door about 1/2 inch. They rushed the door, I told them 'Get Back' and they did. Then I turned the knob, and opened the door 1/2 inch, they stayed put, so I opened it about 5 inches, they still stayed.

Actually, teaching them this took less time than typing this post...