Quick Lesson: Stopping your dog from running out the front door

Here's a quick lesson in how to keep your dog from running out the front door.

The most important thing you must do is to attach a lead of some kind to your pet. This lead is to be on at all times the pet is with you or the pet can be supervised. This lead should be about four feet in length. Just let your pet drag it around. When the door bell rings, walk to the door your pet is at and pick up the lead. By picking up the lead you have just gained control over the situation.

With the lead in your hand, thank your dog for giving you the warning that someone is at the door and then place your dog in a sit at your side. If your dog should get up and try to go to the person or out the door, give the lead a quick pop or check. This will get your dogs attention- then you will tell him to come back and sit by you. You must be firm with this lesson as you will not get a lot of chances should your dog hit the street.

Not too many dogs get hit by a car and live to tell about it! I cannot tell you how important this lesson is but I can tell you that because clients were gentle with the correction their pet did not take them serious and they are no longer around to learn anything more. As you will find out when reading any of my helpful hints I do not candy- coat important lessons. Some lessons will cost your pet their life if not done with serious intentions behind it.

Please correct your dog from bolting out the door by applying a lasting impression on them. This simply means make the correction count the very first time or you might not get a chance to repeat it if your friend gets in the street. Remember to have a lead on your pet at all times when correcting for bolting out the doorways.

Just hook a leash or rope to the collar and let the dog drag it around. The other lesson you should add in for your pets safety is to NEVER cross the thresh-hold of the door way no matter if you are there or not. This is done by walking to the door with the lead on your pet and correcting your pet for even attempting to go out the door.

With lead in hand go to the doorway. Tell your dog NO if he gets close to the threshold. Apply a correction at this point. Simply pop or in a quick motion (check) correct your dog and put him behind the threshold. Should he think he can scoot up to the door, check him again and tell him in a firm tone "NO" and place him away from the door. Your dog should never be allowed to put his nose on the glass or the door so he can get closer to company. This is too close to getting out. He is to remain in a sit position away from the door. Please have the lead in your hand during this lesson, this is the only way to correct for moving forward towards the door.

Keep the lead on at all times and correct firmly for bolting out the doorways. At this point it does not matter if your dog gets upset for a firm correction, so what! You just saved his life and allowed him a long life with you for many years to come. Remember to praise once your dog is sitting away from the doorway. If you should praise your dog and he gets up to come forward thinking the lesson is over, please put him back where he was and correct him for moving forward. He is not off the hook yet, he was simply being told he was a good boy for staying back away from the door.

Try to get this lesson in as many times as you can. Correct firmly so he knows how serious you are about him leaving through the door without you asking him. Make the correction count the first time around so your best friend doesn't think you are kidding around. Best friends are forever, let's keep it that way.

Article reproduced with permission from Sully, a dog trainer for 14 years who really knows her stuff and loves her stuff "I specialize in Champion house dogs and friends for life!!!... "