How To Stop a Dog From Running Out The Door
If you are struggling with how to stop a dog from running out the door, you are probably worried about all the things that your dog might get into!
We have all seen it, a dog might get lost, or even worse, get into an accident with a car, which is the last thing we want for your pup.
It’s essential to learn how to stop a dog from running out the door so that your dog no longer darts out the door and potentially gets into dangerous situations.
Table of Contents
Why Your Dog Runs Out The Door?
Understanding why your dog likes running out the door will make it clearer and easier for you to learn how to stop a dog from running out the door so that your dog doesn’t do it again.
If your dog is running out the door the main reason is likely because, in one way or another, your dog is being rewarded for running out the door. How you might ask? In various ways here are a couple of ways your dog is being rewarded for darting out the door.
First, if your dog runs out the door and then you chase your dog. Then you unknowingly made running out the door the beginning of a fun game for your dog. This is especially true if your dog isn’t getting any other outlets like playing fetch or tug of war. So if your dog spends most of their time bored at home and the only time your pup gets your attention or experiences any fun is darting out the door then your dog will want to continue darting out the door.
The second reason your dog is running out the door is that your dog made it a habit and you never took the time to teach your dog boundaries around doors.
Always remember if you don’t take the time to teach your dog what isn’t acceptable then we can’t be upset when our dogs don’t behave.
How To Stop a Dog From Running Out The Door
Now that we understand some common reasons why your dog is running out the door. Here are actionable ways to stop a dog from running out the door. Make sure you stay consistent to ensure that you develop a new habit.
Prevention
Prevention is going to be a priority in learning how to stop a dog from running out the door so that the behavior doesn’t get stronger over time. As a dog owner, you want to understand that behaviors in dogs don’t go away over time because, in one way or another, your dog is getting rewarded for the behavior. Prevention is key so that the “bad” habit doesn’t get stronger while you instill the new habit.
Becoming Relevent
Now that you are actively preventing your dog from developing the habit of running out the door you want to focus on becoming relevant to your dog. By becoming relevant to your dog you essentially get your pup actively wanting to listen to you. This is important because if your dog isn’t able to listen to you inside the house with the door closed there’s no way your dog will want to listen to you when the temptation of the door open appears.
Meeting Your Dogs Needs
Now that you’re preventing your dog from further developing the habit of running out the door and becoming relevant to your dog. The next step in how to stop a dog from running out the door is to fulfill your dog’s natural need to run chase play. This is critical because if you don’t meet your dog’s needs your pup will find alternative ways to meet their own needs.
Remember as humans if our needs are not being met we can quit that job we dislike, and leave that relationship, your dog doesn’t have that luxury and instead may result to running out the door to have their needs met. Playing a game like fetch or tug of war should work wonders especially if you have a high-energy dog.
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Creating Boundaries:
Now that you laid down some foundational skills in learning how to stop a dog from running out the door, it is time to create boundaries around doorways. The easiest way to do so is by:
- having your pup on a leash before opening the door
- If your pup tries walking out the door before you say it ok, say “no” and prevent your pup from darting out the door
- close the front door.
- Repeat until your dog begins to wait for you to say “ok”
Setting Up Scenarios
Now your job when teaching how to stop a dog from running out the door is to create scenarios where the door is open randomly while your dog is on leash. You want to make sure your dog is on leash so that if your dog tries to run out the door you can say no and stop them with leash. The name of the game is to prevent the old habit while you instill the new habit of not running out the door. This means your consistency is key. Your dog will undoubtedly attempt to run out the door but since you prepared you put yourself in a position to help your dog make better choices.
Conclusion: How To Train Puppies Not To Bark
In conclusion, now that you know how to stop a dog from running out the door always remember to stay consistent especially if your dog has developed the habit of running out the door. Addressing the running our the door is the first step, now the name of the game is teaching your pup how to never run out the door in everyday real-world settings by staying consistent and developing the right lifelong habits.
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