How To Keep Your Dog from Rushing Out the Door

Many dogs develop the bad habit of rushing out the door the moment it's opened.  This is annoying if your dog is on a leash and downright dangerous if he isn't.  Your pet could easily run off and get lost or dash into the busy street.  If you want your dog to be safe, it's important to teach him some better manners when it comes to the front door.

In order to teach your dog not to rush out the door you will need a leash and a few treats.  You may want to enlist the help of a friend as well.  If he doesn't already know them, you will have to teach you dog the sit and stay commands in a neutral environment first.

Tell your dog to sit and stay approximately five feet away from the door you plan on opening.  If your dog gets up as you approach the door tell him “No” and lead him back to the same spot.  If he stays, praise him and give him a treat.  It helps to work in small increments like this since your dog has already become habituated to rushing out the door whenever it is opened.  Once your dog can stay comfortably as you walk up to the door you can move on to opening it.

Keep a close eye on your dog throughout this entire process and be sure to correct him any time he gets up.  This will be easier if you have a friend to open the door while you hold the leash.  Be sure to use lots of praise any time your dog gets it right.  If you intended to let the dog out, say “Okay!” after he has stayed for a while with the door open and encourage him to go outside.  If not, you can step outside the door yourself while the dog stays.

Consistency is the real key to training here.  Even if you have a fenced in backyard, make your dog wait for you to say it's okay before running outside so he learns to associate all outside doors with sitting patiently.  It's also important that everyone in your family knows the new rules and makes your dog follow them.  If you make your dog wait, but your children let him run right outside, training will be much more difficult, and your dog may become confused and frustrated.

Training may take some time, but if you're patient it will be well rewarded.  Your cherished pet will be safer, and you will no longer have to worry about having to chase your dog around the neighborhood to get him back home again.  You will be able to keep your dog from rushing out the door with a simple word.