Front Door Barrier

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by dawn27

No gate needed we have a full view glass door. We leave the main door opened to enjoy the sunlight but I have learned that out of sight out of mind works best with training them to stay when someone comes to the door. We are also working on our stay commands when visiters come. It not easy since they are not pups any more. Been working on it for the past year and it is ok but could be better.

I think that it can be done if you wanted to start to teach her to sit & stay and eliminate the gate. Its will take time and maybe some bribes but its possible to get it done. Probably easier with just one than my four !

This was Tibbe's hardest thing of all to learn and it took over 2 years to get him to do it every time but finally, we've been there several months. So proud of him! He didn't get an awful lot of intense training on it either - just as I could manage by myself.

[Britster]

Jackson is trained to stay when doors are open. I can't say I purposely trained it, to be honest, I did not work on it much. I would always just place my hand out and say "stay" when the door was open, and always had ME go out of doors first, so I think he eventually just naturally assumed open doors didn't mean ... WHEEE freedom!

But every now and then, I do reinforce the behavior and give him a treat for listening. I will go stand outside and leave the door wide open and tell him to "stay" and come back in and give him a treat. For security purposes, you could tie them with a leash, etc, but still practice it. For Jackson, I don't worry about it at this point. But of course keep doors closed when I can.

[zaknnana]

Go to Smart Retract ~ Retractable Safety Products, Retractable Baby Gate, Retractable Dog Gate, Retractable Cat Gate or Retractable Pet Gate. An easy to use wide retractable safety gate for indoors or outdoors and certified for use at the top and bottom of and there is something that fits on the door that is called a "bow wow barrier" for the door!! I agree with Yorkiemom1.....I have gates up and my whole back porch is latticed in because it only takes one time and they are just too fast to stop if they decide to go!! I commend and respect people that are able to train their dogs not to do it and I wish I had that ability or that dog?? Obviously I do not have either so I use any kind of gate or whatever it takes to keep them from running out the door!! I did buy one of those retractable gates to go between my living room and kitchen area to keep the puppy in the kitchen and that is how I saw the door thing so I don't know if it works or not but it looks like it could be a good idea?? Good luck!!

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Having dealt with a lot of dogs over the years, wow, do I agree with that! That's why Tibbe's "door spot" that he has to stay in is across the room! He doesn't get to come to the door. So he goes tripping to his spot and quickly settles himself down in it(it's like performing another trick to him so he's excited to do it and excited by the visitor at the door) and he just lays there all eager and excited by the visitor at the door and the praise he's going to get after the door is closed. I'm sooooooo proud of him. He's as proud of going to his "door spot" as he is rolling over, sitting up and begging or giving me a high give! To him, it's just another trick now - waiting for Mommy to go to the door and do her business in his "door spot". I had thought he might be too wild to ever get this obedient but thankfully, he's met my every dream so far. He's come so far. But I don't trust any dog not to give way to prey drive so that's why he has to wait away from the door. Thing is, he's so darn happy to do it!

I may could go with a "door spot" area, which is all the way across the room, away from the door....that way, he is more focused on the large image coming inside the door, rather than looking past that image, seeing that squirrel under the tree out front, grabbing up an acorn, and dashing off!!!

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by zaknnana

Go to Smart Retract ~ Retractable Safety Products, Retractable Baby Gate, Retractable Dog Gate, Retractable Cat Gate or Retractable Pet Gate. An easy to use wide retractable safety gate for indoors or outdoors and certified for use at the top and bottom of and there is something that fits on the door that is called a "bow wow barrier" for the door!! I agree with Yorkiemom1.....I have gates up and my whole back porch is latticed in because it only takes one time and they are just too fast to stop if they decide to go!! I commend and respect people that are able to train their dogs not to do it and I wish I had that ability or that dog?? Obviously I do not have either so I use any kind of gate or whatever it takes to keep them from running out the door!! I did buy one of those retractable gates to go between my living room and kitchen area to keep the puppy in the kitchen and that is how I saw the door thing so I don't know if it works or not but it looks like it could be a good idea?? Good luck!!

Wow.. I like that!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I may could go with a "door spot" area, which is all the way across the room, away from the door....that way, he is more focused on the large image coming inside the door, rather than looking past that image, seeing that squirrel under the tree out front, grabbing up an acorn, and dashing off!!!

Yes, Tibbe can't actually see outside at all from his "door spot" so he just focuses on his trick of "stay", watching Mommie and the person(s) who might or might not be coming in now. So we were able to redirect his dashing to the door and trying to force himself out it - and did on several occasions as I was greeting the person(s) there - to that of having a new job to do when the doorbell rings. His job is hear the sound, go to his "door spot", lie down and wait for his "release" cue. I think he thinks of it as a game as he's so very happy doing it, and he almost levitates off the floor as he's lying there waiting, panting, excited. Once he hears the word "release", he's thrilled as he gets a lovely praise, lots of stroking and usually a treat for his huge achievement. And if the visitor(s) come inside, that is the ultimate reward. That's what he really wants - the attention of the people! As he was so very wild when I got him and has such an unbelievable prey drive, I believe his progress to be nothing short of phenomenal. But it's been over 4 years in the making!!! I'd worked with him 2 years on obedience and behavior modification before I ever really tried to stop his door darting due to his early life and problems it caused him. He had absolutely no impulse control and had many fears. Of course many of those sessions were far between due to my orthopedic problems but we eventually got there! Of course, being the only dog, it makes it tons easier.

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

This was Tibbe's hardest thing of all to learn and it took over 2 years to get him to do it every time but finally, we've been there several months. So proud of him! He didn't get an awful lot of intense training on it either - just as I could manage by myself.

Well at least you did it !

My gang on the other hand have much more intence work to do. I would suggest not waiting until they are older like I did. That was my one fault in lack of trainnig with them. It just got too out of controle when we added the four one to the bunch. Something had to be done.

I praise anyong who has mastered this. It not easy !

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I may could go with a "door spot" area, which is all the way across the room, away from the door....that way, he is more focused on the large image coming inside the door, rather than looking past that image, seeing that squirrel under the tree out front, grabbing up an acorn, and dashing off!!!

This is what we do... ! They must stay behind the divider that separates the hard word floor and carpet. They know where they need to be and go there but dont alway stay there.

And when the mail man come all bets are OFF, and they go off too! Ruby especially.... is crazed over the sight of him. I think is has more to do with her fear of outsiders.

[YazminD]

I live in an Apt that has indoor hallways & stairs also. Even though Yazmin is very good at the "Sit and Stay" command inside my doorway while I step out into the hall to open the main community door to check my mail, all that training goes out the window when a human is at the main door!
Last Fall I had a $6.00 chicken dinner delivered that ended up costing me a $20.00 bill because Yazi did not sit and stay as I was sure she would!
While I was handing the delivery man my money, She snuck right past me and out on my porch to greet him. Well since he paid no attention to her, she ran off the porch and out onto my side walk.
I was so terrified and could see the fear in her eyes also because she's never been out without a leash. Even though I tried to stay calm and called to her using commands, "Yazi Come", "Do you want a treat?", etc., nothing I said to her was sinking in because I could see she was so scared!
In the mean time I was begging the delivery man to please help me catch her but he kept yelling to me that he had to leave. I just told him to go, so he left the $6.00 chicken dinner and took my $20.00 bill with him! "Jerk"!
As Yazi was darting in and out of the street, she spotted a couple with a German Shepard and of course went straight for the dog!
I was finally able to grab her and get her back in my Apartment but Yazi and I were both so terrified after that whole ordeal, she couldn't quit shaking and needless to say I was too upset to eat the $20.00 chicken dinner! Lol.
It may sound kinda funny now but I can tell you I was so upset that on line ordering a 2nd. Gate for my entrance door that evening!
I already had a gate to block off my kitchen and immediately took it down and installed it on the front door that night!

I'm sorry for rambling on and on but the "Horriable thoughts and Images" that went through my head for days of what could have happened to Yazi that night still gives me cold chills. She could've paid with her life because I trusted that she was so well trained!

I know we all do our best to train our babies with a lot of hard work but it's very easy for me now to say the old saying, "Never say Never" because Yazi proved me wrong! I would have NEVER thought she wouldn't have "Sit and Stayed" that day just to get her treat!

I'm so sorry the family's friend lost their baby in such a tragic way and I also wonder if it could've been prevented if there had simply been a gate.

I now have this Gate attached to my Apt. door leading out to the hallway and one blocking my kitchen. I like they fact they're very simple to install and open easily. The locking feature is nice also incase you have children around.

Carlson 0930PW Extra Wide Walk through Metal Gate with Pet Door - Walmart.com

Here's a great video showing the gate on uTube also.

13392_Carlson_XWGate_rev1.mov - YouTube

[dottiesyrky]

I am so sorry for your scary experience. I do have to agree that however well trained a dog, it can be deflected by an outside event or thing that overcomes all training. Nothing or no dog is perfect and it only needs one slip up to lose ones dog. Very risky to depend on immaculate training, you can't totally take the dog instinct out of the dog. Hope I do not cause offense to anyone here for this, but the safety of our pets is paramount and we have to err on the side of caution.
Sho glad your prompt action saved your baby.

[yorkietalkjilly]

If that had been Tibbe running away, I would have offered him the chicken dinner and he would have returned ASAP! Nothing like hot chicken to appeal to Tibbe!

Keep working with her using one of Tamar Geller's techniques for using when a dog is trying to cross a dangerous threshold. Practice with a real person at the door and when she attempts to go out, have that person go "wolf" on her just as she gets near the door and is beginning to think about going out it. Have them raise the arms and hands up over the shoulders, wide stance to feet, lower their head and face down toward her, hunched over and with a dark scowl, eyebrows together, growl in a low guttural, displeased voice and advance toward her saying in that same voice "Noooooooooo...............". This is as close we as humans can get to an alpha wolf reprimand. It seems kind of shocking to us but dogs do understand and appreciate this body language and growls of sorts, hard stares of significance, and it is a reprimand, wolf style. When she backs off, you give her a lovely boiled chicken treat and a wonderful praise session in a high, fun, squeaky voice just as soon as you close the door and shut the "wolf" out. Now, repeat, repeat, repeat with your "wolf" at the door, knocking and ringing and you opening the door and greeting him and each time she advances toward the door, if she gets within a prescribed distance, the person outside the open door goes "wolf" on her, advancing in the "wolf" fashion using the "Noooooooooooo......." in that low, threatening voice and you rewarding her with food, love, praise, and your loving, squeaky voice when she back off.

If you can't get a person to help, you will have to become the "wolf" and go into the alpha discipline mode when she starts toward the door as it stays open and when she back off at this behavior, then go immediately into chicken/reward/squeaky voice mode as you quickly leave the door area. But when you are near the door, she needs to know momma can become an alpha "wolf" in no time if she starts to sneak near it. You can practice with just the two of you, knocking on your own door, ringing the doorbell(which excites them) and getting her to try to approach it. These lessons can be vital in rehearsing situations with our dogs when we have a wonderful warm, high-value chicken reward for them the moment they back off from a door approach and the learned behavior starts to click in.

Training in door darting is a risk/reward system when done right. If she perceives that the risk of going out that door is the "wolf" at the door which is seriously displeased with her attempts to go through it and is in alpha mode - versus the reward is a fresh chicken treat and mommie really praising her and fawning over her like she is made of lottery tickets and diamonds, it shouldn't take her long to get the idea going out that door is now not a good thing, no matter how fond her previous memories of the GSD and the chase were. Thing is, if you will do it enough within a 2 week period now, she will get a good, strong message that the person at the door is a disciplinarian should she start toward it and trying to through it to the great world outside is going to be met with an approximation of an unhappy alpha wolf trip to the woodshed vs. a wonderful treat and praise session. This is how dogs learn in the wild giggered a little to adapt to what we can provide using the instincts they have and it works to bring them up short and give them a choice to accept the more rewarding option as a way of behaving.

Also, train your dog to "Stop!" and "Stay" on command. Tibbe was so well trained in this that when he did get out, this is how I would get him. He would always stop and stay, even when a cat was 2 doors down and he saw it. But he didn't have a chance to go into prey mode as I'd given the command to "Stop" and he was thankfully so well-trained at that time he did! But if she'd had some "Stop/stay" training when she got out, that training and that hot chicken dinner might have gotten her back right away.

What a jerk to use that situation to keep your $$$!!!

[Yorkiemom1]

[QUOTE=YazminD;4010575]
I now have this Gate attached to my Apt. door leading out to the hallway and one blocking my kitchen. I like they fact they're very simple to install and open easily. The locking feature is nice also incase you have children around.

I have this very thing at every single door in my home...bedrooms, kitchen, den, utility room, bathrooms, nursery, the hallway, etc.....it is a walk thru gate so people can easily walk thru the gate....I do not have that many visitors...my brother and maybe a cousin come from out of town once or twice a year, so it is essentially me and my dogs at the house. I wont say they couldnt get outside thru the front door, but they would have to go thru/over/under/ at least 3 of these gates to do it! I can only IMAGINE the sheer terror you were feeling as you tried to corner your baby before somebody ran over her.
.....I was going to pick my son up from work last evening, and I drove past a little dog that had been hit and killed by a car....they had moved it up off the street onto the curb....IT HAD A LITTLE DRESS ON!!!!!!!!! I can not get that sight out of my mind!!!!!!!!!! I can not hardly even bear to let my mind dwell on this!!!!!!!!!!

[dawn27]

[quote=Yorkiemom1;4010634]

Originally Posted by YazminD

.....I was going to pick my son up from work last evening, and I drove past a little dog that had been hit and killed by a car....they had moved it up off the street onto the curb....IT HAD A LITTLE DRESS ON!!!!!!!!! I can not get that sight out of my mind!!!!!!!!!! I can not hardly even bear to let my mind dwell on this!!!!!!!!!!

Oh No.... somebody is definitely missing that little one!

How sad . . . all the more reason why everyone should train their animals properly and use what ever possible to prevent them from getting out.

[YazminD]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

If that had been Tibbe running away, I would have offered him the chicken dinner and he would have returned ASAP! Nothing like hot chicken to appeal to Tibbe!

Keep working with her using one of Tamar Geller's techniques for using when a dog is trying to cross a dangerous threshold. Practice with a real person at the door and when she attempts to go out, have that person go "wolf" on her just as she gets near the door and is beginning to think about going out it. Have them raise the arms and hands up over the shoulders, wide stance to feet, lower their head and face down toward her, hunched over and with a dark scowl, eyebrows together, growl in a low guttural, displeased voice and advance toward her saying in that same voice "Noooooooooo...............". This is as close we as humans can get to an alpha wolf reprimand. It seems kind of shocking to us but dogs do understand and appreciate this body language and growls of sorts, hard stares of significance, and it is a reprimand, wolf style. When she backs off, you give her a lovely boiled chicken treat and a wonderful praise session in a high, fun, squeaky voice just as soon as you close the door and shut the "wolf" out. Now, repeat, repeat, repeat with your "wolf" at the door, knocking and ringing and you opening the door and greeting him and each time she advances toward the door, if she gets within a prescribed distance, the person outside the open door goes "wolf" on her, advancing in the "wolf" fashion using the "Noooooooooooo......." in that low, threatening voice and you rewarding her with food, love, praise, and your loving, squeaky voice when she back off.

If you can't get a person to help, you will have to become the "wolf" and go into the alpha discipline mode when she starts toward the door as it stays open and when she back off at this behavior, then go immediately into chicken/reward/squeaky voice mode as you quickly leave the door area. But when you are near the door, she needs to know momma can become an alpha "wolf" in no time if she starts to sneak near it. You can practice with just the two of you, knocking on your own door, ringing the doorbell(which excites them) and getting her to try to approach it. These lessons can be vital in rehearsing situations with our dogs when we have a wonderful warm, high-value chicken reward for them the moment they back off from a door approach and the learned behavior starts to click in.

Training in door darting is a risk/reward system when done right. If she perceives that the risk of going out that door is the "wolf" at the door which is seriously displeased with her attempts to go through it and is in alpha mode - versus the reward is a fresh chicken treat and mommie really praising her and fawning over her like she is made of lottery tickets and diamonds, it shouldn't take her long to get the idea going out that door is now not a good thing, no matter how fond her previous memories of the GSD and the chase were. Thing is, if you will do it enough within a 2 week period now, she will get a good, strong message that the person at the door is a disciplinarian should she start toward it and trying to through it to the great world outside is going to be met with an approximation of an unhappy alpha wolf trip to the woodshed vs. a wonderful treat and praise session. This is how dogs learn in the wild giggered a little to adapt to what we can provide using the instincts they have and it works to bring them up short and give them a choice to accept the more rewarding option as a way of behaving.

Also, train your dog to "Stop!" and "Stay" on command. Tibbe was so well trained in this that when he did get out, this is how I would get him. He would always stop and stay, even when a cat was 2 doors down and he saw it. But he didn't have a chance to go into prey mode as I'd given the command to "Stop" and he was thankfully so well-trained at that time he did! But if she'd had some "Stop/stay" training when she got out, that training and that hot chicken dinner might have gotten her back right away.

What a jerk to use that situation to keep your $$$!!!

Thank you yorkietalkjilly for all the great advice and especially for informing me of the Tamar Geller technique.
I've never heard of this before but I will definately work on this with Yazmin.
I don't mind being the big bad wolf, anything to keep her safe and out of harm's way.
What's so funny is that she had just graduated from obedience class a few weeks prior with flying colors, yet wouldn't listen to any command I said that day!
I continue to work with her on all of the commands because we're always going to parks for walks and a lot of public places.
I'd like to feel confident that if any type of situation should arise, she knows I'm the one in control!

I wish that Delivery Man (Jerk) would've thrown me that chicken dinner from the porch that day because chicken is her favorite training treat.

[quote=Yorkiemom1;4010634]

Originally Posted by YazminD

I have this very thing at every single door in my home...bedrooms, kitchen, den, utility room, bathrooms, nursery, the hallway, etc.....it is a walk thru gate so people can easily walk thru the gate....I do not have that many visitors...my brother and maybe a cousin come from out of town once or twice a year, so it is essentially me and my dogs at the house. I wont say they couldnt get outside thru the front door, but they would have to go thru/over/under/ at least 3 of these gates to do it! I can only IMAGINE the sheer terror you were feeling as you tried to corner your baby before somebody ran over her.
.....I was going to pick my son up from work last evening, and I drove past a little dog that had been hit and killed by a car....they had moved it up off the street onto the curb....IT HAD A LITTLE DRESS ON!!!!!!!!! I can not get that sight out of my mind!!!!!!!!!! I can not hardly even bear to let my mind dwell on this!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you're correct Yorkiemom1, that day was sheer terror and actually made me physically ill just thinking of how could I had ever forgiven myself for not protecting my baby!
I think these gates are wonderful myself and add some piece of mind.

I am so, so sorry you saw that poor little girl and can only imagine how painful that must have been for you to see. I'm sure that was devastating for you!
I will think of you tonight and include you in my prayers.

[yorkietalkjilly]

We do have to do whatever it takes to keep our babies safe without intimidating and scaring them. I like Geller's techniques because she uses more natural ways that appeal to a dog's wolf and canine instincts and doesn't startle dogs with human ways of doing things so much. But it takes a bit of training, it does. But Tibbe and I love it and I hope you and Yasmin do, too, Carla.

[dawn27]

I am very lucky that I have never had one of my four take off after a cat, dog or animal in the yard. I can even have all four of my dogs in the un fenced/open part of the yard with no problem. They really do listen quit well. To me that is...I only have to say three words: Name and NO, ro Thats far enough or HOUSE NOW.. and off they go.

Every now and than they do got out onto the porch to great visiters (totally unexpected) of course. So, everyone knows what command to use to get them into the house. But for some reason my son insists on chasing Ruby and totally ignoring the other dogs when they escape, Not good. That just pisses me off to no end. I thought him how to get them back into the house safely but once he starts yelling and acting a fool they get skittish and want to run from him.

I cant get through his head that by doing that, he is causing more harm than good !! It's like he's taking all of my hard work and training and takes it 2 steps back. Leaving me more work to do to reenforce what they already learned. Errrrr !


Oh and YEs I agree..... that chicken dinner would have done the trick !