How to Train Your Dog Not to Run Out the Door

Teaching your dog to resist the urge to bolt through doors is crucial for their safety and peace of mind. An accidental escape can lead to serious dangers, from traffic accidents to getting lost. Fortunately, with consistent training and clear communication, you can establish good habits and prevent dangerous door-dashing behaviors. This guide will walk you through effective strategies to ensure your dog waits patiently and safely for permission to go through any doorway.

Understanding the Risks of Door-Dashing

When a dog successfully dashes out an open door, it reinforces several undesirable behaviors: ignoring commands, crossing thresholds unsupervised, and running off-leash. This freedom is instantly self-rewarding for the dog, as they may enjoy the excitement of exploring or chasing small animals. However, they don’t comprehend the significant dangers involved, such as traffic, altercations with other animals, or getting lost. Even if a dog has a negative experience after an escape, they may not connect that past event with a new opportunity to dash out. Therefore, preventing the escape in the first place is the most effective approach.

Establishing a Household Pact and Door Etiquette

The first and most critical step is to create a unified front within your household.

Household Agreement: All family members and housemates must commit to preventing the dog from escaping. This involves not only training the dog but also educating everyone on proper door etiquette.
The Doggie Doorknob Rule: Educate everyone, especially children, that the doorknob should not be turned unless the dog’s location is known and they are secured.
Guest Briefing: Inform visitors, particularly when they are leaving, not to open the door until the dog is safely confined. Options include keeping the dog in another room, having them on a leash by your side, or reliably commanding them to “stay” or “wait.”

Foundational Training: Sit and Stay

Before addressing door-dashing specifically, ensure your dog has a solid understanding of basic obedience commands.

Bonding and Leadership: Dogs are more responsive to training when they have a strong bond with their owner and perceive them as a leader. Focus on building this relationship before intensive training sessions. Resources on leadership and “Watch Me” commands can be beneficial.
Teaching Basic Commands: Dogs do not instinctively know commands like “Sit” or “Stay.” Owners must patiently teach them the meaning of these words and associated hand signals.
Controlled Practice: Begin training in a quiet environment with no distractions. Once the dog reliably obeys basic commands, gradually introduce distractions and practice in various locations, including different exit doors in your house.
Meeting Basic Needs: Ensure your dog has had the opportunity to relieve themselves before training sessions, especially those near doors. Practicing when a dog needs to go outside is counterproductive.
Physical Control: If your dog doesn’t reliably obey, maintain physical control using a leash, crate, or baby gates to keep them away from exit doors.
Leash Management: When guests arrive, and until your dog is fully trained, keep them on a leash. This allows for better control and the ability to issue commands like “stay” or “get back” effectively, preventing them from bolting.

Specific Techniques to Prevent Door Bolting

Several methods can be employed to teach your dog to wait for permission before going through a door.

1. Teaching “Stay” with Verbal Command and Hand Signal

This technique, developed by canine behavior specialist Kathy Graninger, focuses on reinforcing the “stay” command near exits.

Initial Setup: Position your dog in a “Sit” far from the door and command “Stay!” Extend your arm in a “Stop” hand signal.
Approaching the Door: As you walk towards the door, if your dog begins to move, use a firm “No…Stay!” with the “Stop” signal.
Correcting Movement: If the dog gets up, guide them back to the original spot and re-issue the “Sit-Stay” command with the “Stop” hand signal.
Practice: Continue practicing until you can open the door slowly without the dog breaking their stay. Remember that even a well-trained dog might be tempted by the excitement of visitors, so always remain vigilant.

2. Teaching “Wait” at Doors and Gates

This method, adapted from “Teach Wait” by September Morn, uses a less formal command and positive reinforcement.

Leash and Command: With your dog on a leash, say “Wait” and reach for the doorknob.
Reinforcement: If your dog moves forward, pause and try again. If they wait, offer praise and treats.
Opening the Door: Progress to opening the door a few inches. If the dog waits, reward them. If they move, close the door gently and restart.
Gradual Opening: Continue opening the door wider, rewarding the dog for waiting. If they move forward, close the door and begin again without rewards.
Release Command: Once the dog can wait with the door wide open, give a release command like “OK, go ahead” and allow them to pass through.

An alternative approach for dogs less motivated by praise involves using a collar correction when the dog attempts to exit. This conditions the dog to associate door opening with waiting.

3. Training Escape Artists with Gradual Exposure

Step One: Time Outside: Start by silently opening the door and allowing your dog to dart out on a leash. Close the door and let them stay outside for gradually increasing durations (starting with 30 seconds and doubling each time). Upon their return, make a big fuss, conveying sympathy for their “unpleasant” experience. Eventually, the dog will learn to wait for permission as they discover that staying inside leads to a positive reunion. The goal is for the dog to wait at the open door for your release word.
Step Two: The Houseline: Introduce an 8-10 foot houseline that the dog drags around the house. Repeat Step One with the dog dragging the houseline, stepping on it if they attempt to exit without permission. The goal is for the dog to wait for permission while off-leash, but still attached to the houseline.
Step Three: With a Helper: With a helper present, repeat Step Two. Have the helper open the door and walk through. If the dog follows, the helper should move away, and the dog’s “outside time” begins. The goal is for the dog to wait for permission even when someone else exits first.

4. Conditioning for Sitting at Doors

Tracy Doyle’s technique, originally for deaf dogs, is effective for all dogs.

Mandatory Sit: Every time you or your dog go through any door, have them sit first. Open the door but keep them in the sit position. If they stand up, close the door and have them sit again. Once they sit calmly, give the “OKAY” signal to proceed together.
Consistent Application: Apply this to all doors: house doors, car doors, crates, and gates. Consistency is key.
Crate Training Example: If your dog rushes out of their crate, make them sit before opening. If they bolt as you open it, close it firmly and have them sit again. This teaches them to wait for your permission.
Adding Difficulty: Once proficient, use a long lead. Have the dog sit, open the door, and walk through, leaving them behind. If they follow, restart the process. This reinforces that they must wait to be invited through.
Reinforcing the Stay: Practice sit-stays and down-stays at doorways, using a long lead for safety. Walk in and out, keeping the dog between you and the door, and praise them for maintaining the stay.

Important Considerations and Conclusion

Never Scold an Escaped Dog: Dogs associate reactions with recent actions. Scolding an escaped dog upon catching them teaches them not to be caught, rather than not to escape.
Consistency is Crucial: Training requires ongoing effort. Even when your dog seems reliably trained, remain vigilant. The habit of sitting and waiting at doors can save their life in a critical moment.
Benefits of Training: Beyond preventing escapes, this training fosters better manners, especially when traveling or having guests. It ensures your dog is calm in their crate, safe when entering or exiting vehicles, and less likely to jump on or startle visitors.

By implementing these consistent training methods, you can effectively teach your dog not to run out the door, ensuring their safety and promoting a well-behaved canine companion. If you encounter persistent challenges or wish for professional guidance, consider enrolling in obedience classes or consulting with a certified dog trainer.

Training Your Dog