Running out an open door

[Bethy0506]

where oh where did that cute little mini-me go?! He used to stay by my side 24/7, even off the leash. Now he just zooms past me and runs around out side and wont let me catch him!!! I get soooo scared when he gets out - I dont know what to do!!! when he's outside going potty, he's on a leash and harness. But when he gets out, like this last time - he had nothing on!!! What do I do? how do I train him to stay away from the open door unless he's leashed?! What do I do to get him back after hes gotten out? thanks everyone!!!

~beth

[islandbabies]

So I take it your yard isn't fenced in? Maybe teaching him the "stay" command will help. Ace our SBT used to bolt out the door and I used to hate it 'cause he'd bust through the screen!!! Aaarrrrggghhhh!!! So we taught him "no" and "stay" and wait 'til he sat then we'd open and he'd go out only when we told him "okay." We haven't really enforced this rule too much 'cause our door we let them out of leads into our fenced in backyard. Hope your little darter stops dashing past you!

I know this won't get to the "root" of your problem, but you could put a gate up around your door area that way he can't get past you when you go out.

[2Chiwawa]

I have two dog gates. I use one when I need to keep the dogs in my bedroom area. One is really just a portable baby gate. I have also seen gates that stand up and have a door area for the people to walk through. I also have a metal "fence" that is really an exercise pen. I had used it to block off part of my living room. I set it up so that the end swung back and forth and I could walk into the other part of the living room but the dogs could not.

I think some kind of gate or barrier would help you until you can train your little guy to not dart out the door. I bet you could set it up so that you can walk through the gate, close it, and then go out your door without him even being near the door.

If you need links or photos I would be glad to post them for you. I would feel terrible if he got hurt running into the street or if you lost him. :flower:

[islandbabies]

Wow Faye, those are great ideas. We have small little fold out tables, and we just put those up in front of doorways. So we end up having to step over them, I don't remember how many times I have almost fallen over one of those! Now why the heck didn't I think of the things you've got?!

[zealot]

We had the same problem with gordy.
teach him them that they need to sit down and stay when the door is open. It works quite well for us.
That is what i trainer recommended.

[2Chiwawa]

I'll post some pics here soon. The walk through ones are awesome but expensive. But I would rather spend the $ than have my dog get hit or lost. If I lived on the first floor I would definitely get a walk through gate. I am lucky because Sammi and Happy never go down my staircase to the front door. Sammi only followed me once when I carried Gracie down and tried to leave Sammi behind in the house. She walked down the steps to follow me but I knew she was there.

[2Chiwawa]

Here are two links to a wide variety of pet gates. There are permanent ones, temporary ones, step over gates, walk through for the person, walk through for the dog, free standing with and without doors for people or dogs etc. Prices vary widely on different sites for the same gates.

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/home/diy/walk-through-pet-gate

http://www.nextag.com/walk-through-pet-gate/search-html

[Jemma's Mom]

Jemma knows the stay command, but I also have a mini gate put up right near the door. They are too small and fast and can easily slip between legs to get out. She's gotten out a few times already and I don't want to risk it anymore. All of the times she's managed to sneak out, it was because someone else opened the door. I trust myself to take extra precautions with the door open, but I can't trust others to be as diligent.

I use neat idea cubes for the gate because they can easily be taken apart and at only 14" high, we can easily step over them without tripping.

http://www.bettymills.com/store/images/product/DFEL2743.JPG

They are made to be put together for storage shelves, but you can assemble them any way you want.

[Romans Mom]

where oh where did that cute little mini-me go?! He used to stay by my side 24/7, even off the leash. Now he just zooms past me and runs around out side and wont let me catch him!!! I get soooo scared when he gets out - I dont know what to do!!! when he's outside going potty, he's on a leash and harness. But when he gets out, like this last time - he had nothing on!!! What do I do? how do I train him to stay away from the open door unless he's leashed?! What do I do to get him back after hes gotten out? thanks everyone!!!

~beth

I know what you mean about them bolting, and it's my biggest fear they I will lose my little dogs if they get out. Roman bolted out the door and after a big dog before. It was frightening because he wouldn't come back to me, and kept chasing the dog on his heels, all the way down the street. The next day, I went and got a wood and plastic baby gate at Walmart for just $10.00. We also have a Gorilla Tough kennel from drsfostersmith .com that is opened up all the way and has the porch fenced in around the front door for double protection. This is a more expensive brand of this type kennel, but we've had it outdoors for 4 years and there's no rust on it. Our yard is fenced, but it's too big to let them run in it themselves, so we have another gorilla kennel out in the yard for them, so they can't run away, yet are able to play off leash.

What I have done to help this situation, is I work with both Roman and Elle on leashes and give them small food treats when they respond to me, and they're pretty good to come to me now when we are out playing with them. Still, if there's a dog or bird to chase, I still don't trust them fully. Oh, and yet still with all these gates and fencing, people still come and leave the gates open to the street, and the fence open on the porch. Or they will leave our house and leave the door wide open even after being told to watch out for Roman and Elle.

They will stop for me now due to them knowing what to do to get a treat, So now they stop and lie down, I'm sure out of fear of my screaming. I am a normally quiet person and never scream and yell, so when I have, they wonder what the heck is going on. LOL

I continue to train them with the leash and food treat method to get them to come. Offer the treat at the same time you give the command, "Come" then give the treat as soon as they come to you. When this is working, get a long leash or 20 foot rope to give the dog more trust. You can give tiny little tugs when you say come (very gentle and don't jerk the leash ) and show the treat when you call the dog to come. Also I have taught them to sit and stay at the door. They also know "get back" since every time I open the door I tell them get back and sit and stay. At worst, I have to scream to get them to stop running away. That scares them, but it's worked a few times that they would have run away out the door, or when we are camping.

Sorry this was so long. :flower:

[Romans Mom]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=766

Here's the kennel I mentioned. It comes in different lengths and heights and can be shaped any way you need it since it is one long piece and could be set up around a door, inside our out.

[2Chiwawa]

Hi Barb, that is what I used in the house. I set it up more like a long fence across the living room. I could move one panel like a gate to walk through but the dogs could not. I was wonderful. If I lived on the first floor I would have this set up ahead of my door so they couldn't even get near the door.