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Does your dog bolt through open doors like their life depends on it?

Doors lead to games, smells, people—can you really blame them?

Here’s how to teach your dog that doors mean “stop and wait,” without a command.

Weekly Bite

Aki has a bad habit of bolting out the backyard door because it leads to his favorite thing…

So I taught him threshold training—he now stops automatically at doors without a command.

How To Teach Your Dog

What you'll need:

• Leash

• Prong collar

Step 1: Set a calm foundation

Stay calm while leashing your dog up.

Don't get them more excited than they already are.

Step 2: Approach the door

Walk up to the door with your dog on leash.

Open the door.

Step 3: Let them make the mistake

Most dogs will bolt for the door the second it opens.

Simply hold the leash and prevent them from running outside. Once there's tension on the leash, give them a pop on the collar.

This teaches them that pulling toward the door doesn't work.

Step 4: Reward the right choice

As soon as that leash goes slack and your dog decides to wait (because rushing hasn't gotten them anywhere), release them with "Okay" or "Free."

Remember that freedom is a reward. 

Sometimes it's even more rewarding than food or toys—especially when it predicts interesting smells, their favorite game, or the backyard they love.

Step 5: Build the habit through repetition

Repeat this process 50-100 times until they begin to stop automatically at the threshold.

Making it bulletproof: The 3 D's

Once your dog stops automatically at the door, make the behavior reliable by incorporating the 3 D's: Duration, Distance, and Distractions.

1. Duration: Have them wait longer before releasing them.

2. Distance: Open the door, step outside, and have them continue waiting inside.

3. Distractions: Throw a ball outside after opening the door. If they hold their position, they're getting it.

Each layer makes the behavior stronger until your dog can resist even the most tempting distractions.

TL;DR: Leash your dog, approach the door, let them pull, pop the collar when there's tension, release with "Okay" when the leash goes slack. Repeat 50-100 times until automatic. Then add Duration, Distance, and Distractions to make it rock solid.

Tail End

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Until next Thursday, ✌️

Sam