Dog Door Training for Your Puppy

Dog door training for your puppy is easy. All you need is a handful of tasty treats. Make sure the treats are small, though, as you don't want your puppy to get full before your training session is over!

You'll want to stand on one side of the pet door, ready to tempt them with the treats. Set your puppy up with a helper on the other side. If possible, start with the dog flap removed or held up and out of the way, as your puppy first needs to get used to climbing over the opening.

Call your puppy from your side while holding the treats to their nose, luring through the dog door. On the other side, the helper can guide them through, lifting up their front paws and giving them a gentle push from behind. Don't release the treats until they make it all the way through. That's your chance to have a little party, give them the treats and plenty of positive reinforcement!

Take it slow and patiently while they build up confidence. Some puppies will pick it up quickly and be dashing through in no time, whilst others will require a little more time and encouragement.

Once your puppy is getting used to climbing in and out of the open pet door flap, try with the flap down. Help them out at first by holding it open a little, so they don't have to push through all on their own. Then, when you think they're ready, see how they go without your help.

It can take a few weeks to go through this whole process. Puppies learn best in short bursts with lots of repetition. Make it fun and use a high-pitched, squeaky voice to encourage them. And remember, training is a great opportunity to bond with your puppy!

We'd love to hear about your experience training your puppy to use a pet door. Perhaps you have a few tips and tricks of your own? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Dog Door Training for Your Puppy

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