Does opening the door in your house cause a stampede as your dog rushes the door, almost taking the legs out from under you, and crashing any unfortunate person waiting the other side?
So here’s what we’re learning today: Waiting at the door!
The Door Game!
Here’s an example of using Choice Training to change an everyday annoyance many people suffer - a step-by-step lesson for perfect Door Manners!
Watch the video first …
Enjoy that? I suggest you watch it through twice before getting started with your dog.
Now, please don’t expect this to happen in one session!
You may need several, or many, sessions to get it right. But some - puppies especially - can learn this very quickly.
If your dog has an entrenched behaviour of door-barging it may take a bit longer, but you’ll get there!
You noticed, I’m sure, that I didn’t tell the dogs to do anything!
I waited for them to choose.
I ask them sometimes - to prompt them - but I don’t TELL them.
This is a two-way street!
And if there’s a good reason for them doing something different - the ground is soaking wet, for instance and it’s unpleasant to sit (or if they’re Cricket the Whippet who simply finds sitting on a hard floor uncomfortable altogether because of her hound make-up!) then that’s ok by me as long as they wait patiently and don’t rush the door.
That’s the outcome I want.
You have to keep your eyes on the prize! And not get caught up in nonsensical detail.
Now, you do it
Now, once you know THIS, do you begin to see where else Choice Training can affect your daily life with your dog? Can you think of things that annoy you right now which you’ll be able to remove from your life quickly, painlessly - in fact, enjoyably?
It’s limitless!
I’d love to hear how you get on …
Comment below when you’ve given it a go (or several go’s, depending on where you’re at with your dog).
And for lots more training like this, check out the Brilliant Family Dog Academy via this lesson-laden free Workshop!