How to Stop a Dog or Puppy Bolting Out of the Door
Nothing can be more frustrating and scary than a dog that runs out the front door whenever it is opened. This can be very dangerous for your dog, since they could run into the street and get hit by a car. Although this behavior is very unsettling, it can be stopped.
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A good way to stop your dog from running out the door when it is open, is to tell your dog to sit when they are far away from the door. Then tell them to stay, and with your arm extend like a traffic cop in the stop position, walk towards the door. If the dog begins to move when you reach for the door, put out your hand in the stop signal and say No! Stay! Very firmly. If he gets up, take him back to the original spot, and make him sit. Repeat the sit and stay command, and do the stop hand signal.
You need to keep this up until your dog remains still in the sit position when the door is opened. Remember however, that when people come to visit, your dog may revert to his old bolting ways, so always keep an eye on your dog.
Another way to teach your dog to not run out the door is by going to the door while your dog is on the leash. Tell your dog to wait, and reach for the knob. If your dog starts to go forward, take your hand away from the knob, and try again. When your dog waits as he should, be sure to praise him and give treats. If you get to the point where you can reach for the knob without your dog moving, attempt to open it a few inches. If your dog stays, give him treats and praise, if he moves, then start over. Do this many times, gradually opening the door a little more each time. If your dog waits, give treats and praise, if not withhold treats and start over. When your dog can go several seconds without running out the door, tell them Ok, go ahead, and take them out.
If the treats and praise with wait command doesn’t do the trick, you may need to try a training collar and leash. With the training collar and leash on, say wait as you open the door, if the dog attempts to go out say, Wait! firmly, and give them a leash correction. This assists your dog in the realization that the door isn’t only for going out.
Although like anything worth doing, it will take time for your dog to get into the habit of always sitting at the door until he can go out, when he does he will be much safer, and you will feel better knowing that your dog won’t run out the door every time it opens, and potentially get hit in the road, or lost.
