Ever had your dog bolt out the door like they’re competing in the 100m dash? Or maybe they shove past you like they own the place? Teaching your dog to respect door thresholds isn’t just about good manners, it’s about safety, self-control, and making life with your pup a whole lot smoother!
Why Should Your Dog Learn to Wait at Doors?
Keeps Them Safe!
An open door is "an open invitation" for a curious dog to take off! Teaching them to "pause and wait" can prevent accidents, stop them from running into the street, and keep delivery drivers from getting an unexpected face full of fur.
Teaches Patience & Impulse Control!
Dogs don’t naturally come with an off-switch, but threshold training helps install one! Learning to stop and wait before barging through a door improves their self-control and makes them calmer and more responsive in other situations, too.
Household Manners Improve!
Ever had guests arrive, and your dog greets them by barreling past like a freight train? Teaching them to wait at doorways helps prevent door-dashing, jumping, and unnecessary chaos.
Strengthens Your Bond & Training!
Dogs love clear rules and structure (even if they pretend they don’t). Teaching them to wait at doorways reinforces your relationship and helps them understand they should check in with you before making decisions.
How to Teach Your Dog to Respect Doorways
Step 1: Teach "Wait" (or better still Sit and Wait) at the Door
1️⃣ Stand at the door with your dog on a leash.
2️⃣ Open the door just a crack, if they move forward, close it and reset.
3️⃣ Use a verbal cue like "Wait" and only open the door wider if they stay put.
4️⃣ Once they "hold their position," reward them with praise or a treat before giving them the cue to step through.
Step 2: Practice Off-Leash
Once they’ve nailed the “wait” cue on a leash, practice without it in a safe area. If they start to rush through, reset and try again. Keep reinforcing that waiting is the key to going!
Step 3: Take It on the Road!
Try this at front doors, garden gates, car doors, or anywhere your dog needs to pause and think before stepping through. The more places you practice, the better they’ll get at generalising this behaviour.
Why This Training is a Game-Changer
✔️ No more door dashing!
✔️ Stops the "shove past you like a bulldozer" routine!
✔️ Encourages better manners with guests & visitors!
✔️ Teaches impulse control & patience!
✔️ Helps with leash training & other obedience skills!
✔️ Keeps your dog safe & sound where they belong, at home with you!
Threshold training is one of those small but mighty skills that makes a huge difference in daily life. Your dog will be calmer, safer, and way more polite at the door (imagine that!). So start practising today and say goodbye to unexpected dog sprints and doorway chaos!
For further support on the above scenario and other training aspects with your dog give us a call on 050 8717 072/3
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