Masterpet

Dog Door Training

A typical dog can almost certainly be trained to use a dog door. Generally, dogs are so happy to be able to go outside and inside as they please, training is a breeze.

However, your dog doesn't know what a dog door flap is at first so he or she will need to be shown how it works.

Rule number one : keep your dog relaxed and don’t frighten it. If your dog associates stress or fear with the dog door he or she may not want to go near it again. The best way to frighten your dog is to shove it through the pet door, so please resist that behaviour and be patient.

Tips to help

    Coax your dog through with a treat; praise and reward it for going through.
    Hold the flap open for it all the way at first; then less and less so as it gradually
     gets the idea of pushing against the door to get to the treat.
    Try removing the magnet for a while so the flap is easier to push.
    Remove the flap altogether temporarily while the dog gets used to the idea of
     coming and going in that particular location, or tape the flap up out of the way.
    Electronic pet doors all make a sound when they activate that can spook a dog.
     Try disabling the electronics for a week or so while he or she becomes accustomed to the flap if the
     sound bothers it at first.
    When you first use a locking cover or when you first lock the flap shut, introduce
     the dog to it slowly rather than to let him learn 'the hard way' by running into it.