Training Success - Not to bolt out the door
 

Well, today I decided I needed to start training Lexi not to run out the door when opened. For one, it's a pain when I or someone else is coming in or out and someone has to hold her or put her in her crate, and two, I have a 3 year old son who is good about not opening doors when he's not supposed to, but he is 3 and you just never know.


Surprisingly, it was very successful. I have been practicing throughout the day, and she has been staying when the door is opened, but I still don't trust her 100%. That will take a lot more time and practice. The harder part is coming back in since I can't see where she is. Overall, went a lot better that expected!

Good job to you and Lexi.

Training
 

I need to train mine also. Gideon will stay when he is focused on me (not a squirrel) but Bella has the attention span of a flea. I can get her to sit but not stay. She will learn in time. Do you have any tips for me? I know once he sees something he wants he doesn't listen very well.


Bella is Gideon's little sister.(not biologically) Gideon is a little jealous and because of that he wants to 1 up Bella and is obeying even better than usual. HEHE


I really need some one on one training time with each of them.

Good job!

From the very first day that we had Puff, she was always carried going in or out of the doors. She has gotten so good that when I let our 2 bigger dogs out into our fenced backyard, she will stand at the door with me and stick her nose out, but nothing else. As good as she is about it, we still keep gates up leading to the front and garage doors. I really believe that this is one place where the pup's obedience can be the difference between life and death.

Thanks everyone. I am so proud of Lexi too.


I started the training when she was calm and started with having her on the leash right next to me and saying "stay" before opening the door slowly. She already knows stay, but doesn't always listen. When she would pull towards the door, I would shut the door and pull her back and say "stay" again. I did this until she stay as I kept the door open.


The second step was attaching a 10 foot tie-out that we use in the front yard b/c it was the longest thing I had. I didn't hold the other end, but with her next to me I said "stay" and slowly opened the door. When he tried to run out and quickly grabbed the tie-out and pulled her back in a said "no." I repeated this until she stayed with the door wide open. I did this because I wanted her to have a chance to make a "mistake" without being in danger so I could show her that running out is bad. And of course gave her a treat when she stayed with the door open.


I then practiced though out the day without a leash. I would just say "stay" no matter where she was in the house. Then as I opened the door I would watch her carefully to make sure she wouldn't run towards the door. She would just walk close enough to see me, but would not even come to the door. We'll see if this continues tomorrow!

That's awesome . . mine really never bolted out the door but they would just bombard visitors which is why we had the need to train them to sit and stay at the door. Mine were all older, (2,5, 7, 9) but you know what they say. "You can't teach a dog New tricks" will I proved that theory wrong and it only took my a year. :)


So your doing great !!