Door Manners: Waiting at Thresholds

Overview

Waiting at doors is a lifesaver. The default should be: door opens, dog waits, dog is released. This applies to front doors, car doors, and crate doors.

Why it matters

This one behavior can literally save your dog's life.

Watch: demonstration

[VIDEO PLACEHOLDER] Handler opens the front door, dog sits and waits, is released with "free!" — trainer to attach a video via the admin uploader.

Step by step

1. With your dog on leash, approach the door.

2. Reach for the handle. If the dog stays, mark and reward.

3. Open the door an inch. If the dog moves forward, close the door immediately.

4. Repeat until you can open the door fully with the dog remaining.

5. Add a clear release word before letting them go through.

6. Practice with the car door, the crate door, and every threshold.

[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER] Sit-and-wait at the front door before a walk. — trainer to upload one or more still images.

Common mistakes

• Ever letting the dog bolt through — even once, even accidentally.

• Not using a release cue — the dog decides when the "stay" ends.

• Practicing only on training walks, not on real ones.

Practice this week

Every door your dog goes through this week is a training opportunity — wait, then release.