How to Train Your Older Dog to Use a Doggie Door
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Introduction
As dogs age, their habits can go through some changes whether we’re prepared for it or not. Some dogs sleep more often and eat less, while others may see a change in their activity level or ability to leap up onto furniture. No matter what changes the years may bring to your dog, they depend on you to help them navigate your home and their lives as best as you can to ensure they remain happy and healthy.
One specific change that some aging pups may experience is a shift in bathroom habits or the length of time they’re able to hold it before having to relieve themselves. In some cases, their schedule changes but yours doesn’t or can’t! In this scenario, an ideal tool to have is a doggie door that can give your dog access to the yard whenever he may need to go. They’re easy to install and can sometimes make your life--and your dog’s--a lot easier and more convenient when it comes time to use the bathroom.
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Defining Tasks
Of course, for an older dog who isn’t used to using a dog door to go outside, he may be hesitant and decide that he isn’t so sure about this strange opening with a flap. Sometimes the freedom to come and go as he pleases is strange and unfamiliar, but with a little bit of coaxing, your dog can use the door confidently without issue.
Try to take things slow and steady for a dog who is hesitant and try not to startle him with the swinging flap, as that can be an area of stress if he isn’t all that interested in getting hit in the face with it. Getting your dog used to the door may take a week or two of repeated use before he’s confident enough to venture out on his own.
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Getting Started
To begin, find the appropriately sized doggie door for your dog. When in doubt, go larger rather than smaller. A stuck dog will be an unhappy dog. Make sure that it’s installed in your door or wall properly to prevent it from breaking or coming off and hurting your dog.
Once that’s done, grab some treats to entice your dog or a favorite toy that can be used as a reward for using the door appropriately. You may also choose to set your dog’s food or water bowl outside for a little while to encourage him to go through the door himself. However, make sure you still take him outdoors several times during the day.
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The Helper Method
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Find a friend or family member
Someone who lives with you is the best bet. Otherwise, invite a friend over who your dog is familiar with.
Go outside
While your friend remains inside with your dog, head outside with a toy or treats in hand.
Open the flap
This can be done by either removing the flap entirely or taping it open if it’s not the kind that can be removed. This will give your dog a better view of where you are.
Call your dog
With lots of enthusiasm, ask your dog to come out to you. Use a happy and excited tone of voice. Using the doggie door should be fun!
Reward
The moment your dog decides to step through the door, offer him treats and lots of praise. Play with him and his toy for a little while.
Reverse the process
Once you’re done outside, have your friend wait outside with your dog and return back indoors. Call your dog in the same way, but to come back inside. Reward as he comes to you.
Repeat
Over the next few days, try this exercise several times a day. Work your way up to lowering the flap so he can walk through without hesitation.
The Lure Method
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Lift the flap
Find a way to keep the flap open in order for your dog to have an unobstructed view of the lure.
Leave a lure
This can either be a trail of your dog’s favorite treats or a string attached to a favorite toy. Determine which is more likely to have her moving towards and through the door.
Let your dog follow
Allow your dog to have at the treats or chase the toy through the doggie door.
Reward for using the door
Any time your dog uses the door in the appropriate way, celebrate and reward her enthusiastically.
Lower the flap
Continue using the lure method but do so through a closed flap. Reward if your dog decides to go through the door even if there is some hesitation.
Phase out the lure
Over time, use the lure less. Place fewer treats down or set the toy just outside the door instead of having your dog follow it through the door. Work until your dog is going through the door without any lure at all.
The Hands-On Method
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Adjust your dog to the door
Sit yourself by the doggie door and encourage your dog to come sit with you. Offer treats if he sniffs at or is curious about the door.
Hold the flap open with one hand
Use this to show your dog what is on the other side of the door, whether you do this inside or outside.
Get hands underneath your dog
This works best with smaller or lighter dogs. Larger dogs may just need a gentle push from behind to go through the door.
Place your dog through the door
With the least amount of stress possible, place your dog on the other side of the door by either reaching through it yourself or gently pushing them through it.
Offer a big reward
Because this method is more about sudden exposure, a large reward can be required to acclimate your dog to going through the door. Offer great treats or a really nice toy to let your dog know that the door is a fun thing to go through.
Call your dog back through
Now that you’ve placed him through the first time, see if he’ll come back the other way on his own. Use a happy tone of voice or more rewards to entice him back through.
Practice
Do this as often as necessary until your dog develops the ability to go in and out of the door with ease. Use less rewards over time to limit dependence on them.
Written by TJ Trevino
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 01/05/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Toby
English Bulldog
8 Years
Question
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0 found this helpful
My wife and I just moved Into a house that has a dog door to the backyard. And we fenced in a little area so Toby can go and do his business. It took about two weeks to train him to use the door and now he's very comfortable in using the door. We still reward him with treats when he uses the door. However he only uses the door when we command him to use it. We're trying to train him so he is able to use the door on his own intuition. Any suggestions?
June 6, 2020
Toby's Owner
Darlene Stott - Dog Trainer and Groomer
104 Dog owners recommended
Love the photo of Toby! Good for you for getting him used to the door and as well, that he goes out on command. Could be with a small, fenced in area that he isn't interested in going out unless he really has to. Maybe give him the run of the yard now and then (as long as it's fenced, too). He's got all of the right steps down pat - I think that when you are outside gardening or enjoying the back yard, that you leave him in at first and then call to him to come out to join you that way. Toby may then get incentive to go out on his own. Try leaving a fun toy or interactive feeder out there now and then as incentive. As well, if you prop the flap up an hour or two a day for a week or two, that may draw some interest. Good luck!
June 8, 2020
Diesel
Shih Tzu
1 Year
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My dog diesel knows how to use a doggie door and he goes outside to go potty most of the time but i still find pee spots in my house constantly.Any advice?
April 10, 2020
Diesel's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Grace, I suggest limiting the amount of space pup has in the home for a while. Use baby gates and such to keep pup in an area that's close to the doggie door - such as in the kitchen if the dog door is located in a door going outside off the kitchen. Watch pup. Whenever they go outside and go potty (watch through the window of you see them go outside - to see if they go potty), stick your head out the door right after they finish going potty and praise them and offer a treat. Clean any old and new accident areas with a cleaner that contains enzymes to fully remove the smell. Throw out any mats or rugs that cannot be cleaned well enough, and have several accidents on them - remaining pee smell, which a dog can smell even when we can't, encourages a dog to go potty there again. After a couple of months of limiting pups area and rewarding potting outside, increase pups space but block off common potty areas he was using, keep pup tethering to yourself with a hands free leash for another month, or watch pup like a hawk - and when you can't, crate pup, confine them in a smaller area, or tether them to yourself. Don't give more freedom until pup has been completely accident free for at least one month! If pup is scent marking, have pup wear a belly band and tether pup to yourself with a hands free leash. Clapping to interrupt pup any time they go to lift a leg on furniture. Also, clean accidents well with an enzyme spray to remove the scent. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
April 10, 2020