Bad manners can be frustrating to dog owners. One of those bad habits is bolting through the door or gate. Rushing to the door and jumping on people (the owners or visitors) requires retraining an alternate behavior such as going to a mat or other specified place to wait calmly. The focus of this blog is teaching the dog to wait calmly while we might be carrying bags of groceries in from the car or making multiple trips. It is dangerous for a dog to rush the gate or door, either knocking people over in their exuberance or possibly taking off down the road. For this training we will use the word "Wait" instead of "Stay". Wait and stay or two different commands. The stay requires a dog to remain in the same spot and position until the owner releases the dog to move.
To begin, it is easier if you use an interior door in your house such as the door to the bedroom or bathroom. Whatever room you choose, just make sure it doesn't provide distractions or rewards. As you put your hand on the door knob, look at your dog and signal with your other hand while you say "Wait". Open the door partially just a few inches and then close the door, making sure your pup has not charged toward the door. Repeat a few times, then give your marker word "Yes" and perhaps a pat or treat. The next step is when you open the door about half way, but not stepping through it. Should your dog charge toward the door, pull it shut quickly and sternly say wait. If your dog charges to the door, begin with opening only a couple of inches before moving ahead. With the wait command, there is no position or exact spot where the dog must remain, just not move to the door. Next you will open the door and walk on through, closing the door behind you. Then come out and try it again. If you have worked on the wait command about 10 minutes, it is time for a break. For the next session, you may want to use a different interior door and repeat the steps. If you are ready to try your dog at the front or back door, try having your dog on a lightweight leash so he can't get away if he charges by you. Practice carrying a couple of tote bags in and out while your pup waits. As I am loading my car, I have my dog wait as I am making multiple trips to get what I need for the outing and once I am ready, I say my dog's name and "Out" ("Garnet, Out!") so she learns that she cannot go through the door or gate until I call her name and say out. The wait command does not always have a release word or is not always followed by the word out. When I come back in the the final bags of groceries, I just acknowledge that she was a good girl and she is free to do her own thing. If your pup has been good at waiting and then at some point tries to rush by, use your leg to block her escape and sternly say "Wait!" Before long your dog will give up on trying to make a great escape. You can practice these skills out in public as well.
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