Home & Lifestyle

Behavior: Door Dashing

Brandon McMillan

Lesson time 12:53 min

Learn how to prevent door dashing, a potentially dangerous behavioral issue.

Students give MasterClass an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars

Topics include: Behavior: Door Dashing

Preview

[00:00:00.49] [GENTLE POP MUSIC] [00:00:17.54] MAN (VOICEOVER): In this demo, I'll be training Rufus not to door dash. Door dashing is when your dog bolts out of the door as soon as you open it. It can be dangerous, and it's actually one of the main reasons why dogs end up getting lost, injured, or even killed. It's also just plain and simple bad manners. [00:00:33.90] The first step in the process here is to test if your dog is a door dasher. You simply do this by putting him on a 30-foot long lead and opening the door. If they run through the door right away, you've got a door dasher. Now I'll show you how to stop this. [00:00:56.62] Since I'm working with a large dog here, I'm using the thumb grip. This grip is going to save me from some serious rope burn. Also, let the rest of the leash drag behind you, just in case you lose your grip and need to step on it quickly to stop your dog. [00:01:10.48] So here you see me opening the door about one or two inches and quickly shutting it. Be very careful not to hit your dog in the face with the door. Shut it before your dog gets there. It's basically a race between your dog and the door. [00:01:25.38] Timing and speed are very important here. You always want to wait for your dog to calm down, back away, or even sit before you open the door again. Repeat these steps. [00:01:34.89] [DOOR OPENS] [00:01:35.56] Open, shut, wait. [00:01:38.32] [DOOR CLOSES] [00:01:39.23] - Good, perfect. Nice, good boy. Same thing. [00:01:47.34] [DOOR OPENS] [00:01:48.30] [00:01:55.05] [DOOR CLOSES] [00:01:56.02] Good! Perfect, nice, same thing. [00:02:03.00] [DOOR OPENS] [00:02:03.95] [00:02:10.14] [DOOR CLOSES] [00:02:11.10] Good, perfect. Perfect, perfecto. [00:02:16.78] MAN (VOICEOVER): Repeat the process of open, shut, wait, several times. Again, timing and speed are important here. Well, by now, your dog should be backing off or even lying down. But if not, just guide them back, open the door three inches, and shut it right away. Then repeat the process to five inches. [00:02:35.63] Do not open the door any wider until your dog is calm and controlled. Most dogs catch on after about five to 10 times and should be able to keep calm at about one foot open by now. Open the door wider and wider and, ultimately, all the way. When your dog stays in place, you praise the good behavior. Keep it short and sweet. [00:02:54.73] - Beautiful, OK. Same thing, same thing. Mm-mm-mm. [00:03:06.44] [DOOR OPENS] [00:03:07.43] [00:03:07.92] Oh, too fast. You're slick. [00:03:15.36] [DOOR OPENS] [00:03:16.34] [00:03:25.16] [DOOR CLOSES] [00:03:26.15] Good! Perfect. [00:03:29.97] [DOOR OPENS] [00:03:30.81] [00:03:31.23] [DOOR CLOSES] [00:03:32.09] Oh, don't even think about it. [00:03:43.12] [DOOR CLOSES] [00:03:44.12] Good! Perfect, good boy. Come on, give me a reset. [00:03:59.84] [DOOR OPENS] [00:04:00.82] [00:04:02.29] Nn-nn. [00:04:03.26] [DOOR CLOSES] [00:04:04.24] [00:04:04.73] Nn-no-no-no-no. T...

About the Instructor

The Emmy-winning host of "Lucky Dog", Brandon McMillan is an expert trainer dedicated to building relationships between humans and animals. In his MasterClass, Brandon shares his simple, effective training system to help you develop trust and control with your dog. From using commands like sit, stay, and down to fixing barking and digging, you’ll learn how to improve your dog’s behavior—and create a lifelong bond.

Featured MasterClass Instructor

Brandon McMillan

Expert animal trainer Brandon McMillan teaches you his simple, effective training system to build trust and control with your dog.

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