Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I'm new here, as of today. I am writing because I am over my mourning period and just about ready to start looking for somebody to rescue, and I have a behavior question; something I've always wondered about.

This will be my third puppy in my life and the previous two were perfect in every way as far as I was concerned, except for this one little issue. I feel that the fact that they both did it is not a coincidence; it has to be my fault.

Why is it that when the front door is opened, some dogs are content to just be there to watch, while others feel it's necessary to charge out into the neighborhood, only to return 10 or 15 minutes later, with that 'I'm sorry I did that but I just couldn't help myself' posture? As you might guess, my last two mutts were both of the latter variety.

What might I be doing wrong?

You have to teach the dogs wait or stay.
They should never be allowed to run out the door.
They can only go out if you say its ok to go out.
Start with the basics of sit and then teach either wait or stay.
(mine know both and knows the difference)
Good luck and hope you find the perfect pup or dog for yourself!

Hmm. Certainly sounds logical enough but my last guy knew those commands. (With me, 'wait' means stop and I'll let you continue in a few seconds, so that's not what we want.)

Stay means stay however, and it always turns into one of those deals where I don't use it because I'm pretty sure he's going to disobey, and I obviously don't want him getting into the habit of disobeying.

I've seen a number of dogs that don't seem to need to be told; they just wait there because they know. I guess the question is, how to get him to know? Or better yet, how to get him to stop wanting to bolt? (Yes I always walk the guys responsibly.)

How do you get them to not want to go out??
Good question, because obviously if they associate good things with going out, you're not going to teach them to not want to go out.
Not being snotty or rude so I hope you don't take it that way, but if your dog will disobey a stay, he deosn't really KNOW stay.
If you tell a well trained dog to stay, it will take alot to get that dog to move unless hes released.
(talking about on or off leash)

I guess its not a matter of making them not wanting to go out, just teaching that they Can't go out.
If I'm going out and not letting the dog out I tell her no, back.
And she'll back away from the door.
but also I have never given her a chance to run out the door.
When we open the door for company or for a delivery I put her in a sit stay or tell her "back"
I can even leave our gate open and if I tell her no, she doesn't go thru that gate.
I wouldn't chance it if I left or anything, but within the sound of my voice she knows she can't go without being told she can.
She just turned 9 months yesterday and I haven't ever had a problem as we started from day one about doors when we got her at 8 weeks.

>>Hmm. Certainly sounds logical enough but my last guy knew those commands. (With me, 'wait' means stop and I'll let you continue in a few seconds, so that's not what we want.)
>>
>>Stay means stay however, and it always turns into one of those deals where I don't use it because I'm pretty sure he's going to disobey, and I obviously don't want him getting into the habit of disobeying.
>>
>>I've seen a number of dogs that don't seem to need to be told; they just wait there because they know. I guess the question is, how to get him to know? Or better yet, how to get him to stop wanting to bolt? (Yes I always walk the guys responsibly.)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Some of the dogs that "seem to know" have been accidentally or on purpose hit by a door. Not a training method to recommend. Dogs may always "want" to bolt, but you just teach them that you will not permit it at that door. I say "Stay," which is a command I teach diligently with every new dog, daily for several months. I believe that, as with the term "heel" used both for walking at attention at your side and coming to the finish position, the dog learns that this "Stay" is a little different due to the context. But you can use any word you want. Maybe Stay in French or German or whatever. Or "Remain." Whatever you want, just be consistent. I feel that my diligent practice with each dog on Stays makes this the more reliable word I can use when I need a dog to not exit a house or car.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Why would they have the opportunity in the first place? It's the same thing as letting them off leash outside, except there is no leash to begin with..

Until your dog is reliable off-leash outside (3 or 4 years old, at the very least) you should just make sure that they never have the opportunity. Ask people to call before they come over so you have a chance to tie, crate, or otherwise restrain the dog. Talk to salespeople through the door if you have to and ask them to wait while you crate the dog. If you have to move something through the door, be it furniture or groceries, make sure the dog is tied up/crated..

Of course working hard on a reliable recall will help as well..

I don't think it's so much a behavioural issue as a training issue. It takes a lot of work and usually years to have a dog that is reliable like that, and many more dogs will never be reliable like that..

Just be very careful and never give him the chance to run out that door..

The point is, I've met several dogs who don't try to run out the door in the first place. So the question becomes, why do some do and others don't?

Whenever I've asked the owners of the non-bolters, they simply don't know. Does anyone here know?

Breeding, maybe? certain breeds are much calmer than other breeds, so maybe not as inclined to want to run around all the time..

Or it could be that the owners have been unconsciously training them that way and they picked up on it easier than other dogs. If when the owner is leaving, they say "no", the dog will eventually learn that that means they're not coming...

Good points LeahC,
Some times when we are getting our coats on Kali will come running and want to go, or think she is going.
Even if we say "Not this time, you can't come, no"
She'll go sit down and just stare at us as we leave.
She doesn't even try to get to the door.
LOL then you'll see her sitting at the window watching us.
They can give such pitiful faces.
And maybe some dogs just don't feel the need to run out?
I have an aussie so shes up to go and do any time anyone offers.
She Always has energy to do something.
Maybe a combination of all, training, unconscience signals, breed, habits, or maybe dogs that don't think going out is that big of a deal?

>>The point is, I've met several dogs who don't try to run out the door in the first place. So the question becomes, why do some do and others don't?
>>
>>Whenever I've asked the owners of the non-bolters, they simply don't know. Does anyone here know?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

As I mentioned above, I believe this is due to being hit by a door or perhaps being previously trained by another person. Door-dashing seems to be instinctive, and a dog who has managed to get out the door and run around a few times will be even more motivated. Also, if you chase the dog, you will be teaching the dog to run even more. Very dangerous.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

>>Hello, I'm new here, as of today. I am writing because I am over my mourning period and just about ready to start looking for somebody to rescue, and I have a behavior question; something I've always wondered about.
>>
>>This will be my third puppy in my life and the previous two were perfect in every way as far as I was concerned, except for this one little issue. I feel that the fact that they both did it is not a coincidence; it has to be my fault.
>>
>>Why is it that when the front door is opened, some dogs are content to just be there to watch, while others feel it's necessary to charge out into the neighborhood, only to return 10 or 15 minutes later, with that 'I'm sorry I did that but I just couldn't help myself' posture? As you might guess, my last two mutts were both of the latter variety.
>>
>>What might I be doing wrong?

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Door-dashing is a very common dog behavior. Until the dog has totally learned not to do it, have a double-barrier system at any doors that lead out to an unfenced area. That means put the dog behind another barrier or on a leash before opening that exterior door. And train, train, train so the dog learns never to exit the door without permission. For my dogs, they learn not only never to exit without permission, but also that permission will never be granted until they first have their leashes on.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

>> For my dogs, they learn not only never to exit without permission, but also that permission will never be granted until they first have their leashes on.

it seems from what I've heard that the breeds like sighthounds have more of the instinct to be on the look out for prey, so Italian Greyhounds/Whippets/ Basenji & Shiba folks always caution new owners about this tendency. I'd put JRT/Rat Terriers in this category as well. So much depends on enviroment & training. Our back door opens out onto deck/fenced yard & we rarely use the front door, but then we carry/leashed the dog straight out to the car. Most of ours stay back from the door if we go out it, a couple seem interested & we have to say 'back' or 'wait'. Some folks, if they have a dog inside/part of the family since early age, the dog can 'learn' alot that isn't specfically trained. Hope this gives you at least part answer to your question.

>>it seems from what I've heard that the breeds like sighthounds have more of the instinct to be on the look out for prey, so Italian Greyhounds/Whippets/ Basenji & Shiba folks always caution new owners about this tendency. I'd put JRT/Rat Terriers in this category as well. So much depends on enviroment & training. Our back door opens out onto deck/fenced yard & we rarely use the front door, but then we carry/leashed the dog straight out to the car. Most of ours stay back from the door if we go out it, a couple seem interested & we have to say 'back' or 'wait'. Some folks, if they have a dog inside/part of the family since early age, the dog can 'learn' alot that isn't specfically trained. Hope this gives you at least part answer to your question.

>>>>>>>>>>>

My breed--Belgian Tervuren--are big-time door-dashers, and many new to their homes have been permanently disabled or killed as a result. Being hit by cars is common when dogs dash out doors. Gabriel came to me with that problem at 21 months. I'd had him 4 days when I got out of the car to close the garage door (didn't have an automatic opener then, do now), and he took off and ran through the neighborhood. I only caught him by throwing myself down in someone's front yard on my back and grabbing him when he came to check that out.

Before we got him trained, there was one more scary incident. My husband had forgotten we had an untrained one in the house (door-dashing is priority training at our house--that problem doesn't last long here). We were returning from a family thing, bringing a bunch of stuff in. I came in the door and carefully pulled the storm door shut. He impatiently snatched it open while yelling at me for closing it. He had his arms loaded with glassware. Gabriel dashed out that door. My husband caught that dog by the FUR, without dropping anything, and kept him from getting his running feet off that little porch. He didn't even drop any of the stuff, but when I quickly hustled out there to get secure hold of Gabriel's collar and get him back in, he was precariously balanced leaning on the wall! He did not forget again! I was very impressed. Only a REAL man could make that catch, LOL!

Dogs new to your home need to have ID tags put on right away, and kept under top security! The same with the car. And training never stops. I still train on door-dashing every time I arrive home with a dog in the car, when getting out, and every time we arrive anyplace in the car. I put the leash on the dog before opening the door except in the garage. In either situation, if the dog jumps out without permission after I open the car door, I stop right there, have the dog get back in the car, and have the dog wait for permission before getting out. This is life and death stuff.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com