Dog trainer shares one life-saving lesson 'every pet should know'
Any dog owner will know all too well about the common issue of dogs bolting out of open doors, given the chance. This may be harmless if it's into the safety of your back garden, but dogs that never learn to respect those boundaries are likely to make a break for it when the front door or side gate is left open, leading to major problems, such as getting lost or rushing onto a main road.
Adam Spivey, of Southend Dog Training, shared a potentially 'life-saving' lesson on TikTok that he urges every pet and their owner should understand. It could make a huge difference that prevents a serious accident.
Dogs running out of doors is a common issue, often stemming from a combination of natural instincts, lack of training and environmental factors. Dogs are naturally curious and enjoy exploring, and the outdoors can be a thrilling environment for them.
Some breeds have a high prey drive or may be driven by other factors like excitement or simply boredom. But, there's an 'easy' way to teach your dog that they must not see every open door as an opportunity, Adam says.
In his clip, Adam said: "The downside to using safety gates, shutting [the dog] in another room and things like that is all it takes is that momentary lapse of judgement. Becuase you've never taught the dog what the threshold is, the dog goes darting out - it sees freedom.
He demonstrated that, with his own dog sitting in front of the door as it was being opened, anticipation and excitement built. He added: "Pulling on a lead [or collar] only creates panic and frustration, and he'll react to whoever is outside the door."
Adam simply created space between the dog and the door by using himself as a block. This allowed him to open the door, and the dog did not react.
It might help your training to establish basic commands like 'stay' and 'come here' should the worst happen. Introducing a 'wait' command might also help teach your dog to pause before crossing a specific doorway.
Make sure that you use plenty of positive reinforcement, rewarding good behaviour that meets expectations (for example, not darting out of an open door). Consider gradually desensitising your dog to the door by opening it just a little bit at a time and rewarding it for not moving.
Consistent training and positive reinforcement will help your dog understand and comply with your expectations. Avoid using harsh punishments, which can damage your relationship with your dog and may not effectively address the behaviour.
If you are going to carry out this kind of training, make sure your garden is secure with no open gates or fence panel gaps that might provide an escape point.
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