Hey y'all. This is Louie and he's afraid to go through the doggy door. We've had the door in our home for ages and our other small dog uses it all the time. We adopted Louie a week or so ago and so far, he doesn't really get it.
If I put a treat inside there, he will grab it but only if I am holding the flaps up (like in this picture). As soon as the flaps come down, he acts like it's an impenetrable wall. He's seen his bro dog go through so many times but I guess it just hasn't clicked yet how he can push on the flaps to move them.
Looking for any tips and tricks you all might have used to get this process moving. This is Day 4 of him not learning. If the answer is just keep working with him, patiently, I'm good with that but hoping for other ideas if you have any. Cheers,
Physically pushing Louie all the way through the door (without lifting the flaps first; like using Louie himself to push the flaps out of the way in a way that mimics how dogs would ordinarily do it) a few times a day couldn't hurt.
Also, if he's only been 4 days, it's likely he's kindof freaked out. It might be that as he acclimates, he'll naturally get the "confidence" to try it out himself.
I wouldnt push him, if he is scared of it at all then this could just make it worse and it would take longer to train him.
Just gentle encouragement and treats, like you said its only been 4 days training and only a week of a new home, give the man some chance!
I'd try holding the treat a little further away each time so he has to reach in further and further, he might eventually follow another dog through after he settles in too.
My dog, an otherwise pretty clever cockapoo, took approximately five years to figure out that the second flight of stairs into the basement could be used just like the first flight of stairs. The only difference is that one's carpeted and the other isn't.
But eventually it clicked, and now she uses both equally.
Awh bless, at least she figured it out in the end!
Yeah he’s got to do it himself. It might take bacon or sirloin but treats will overcome most fears like this. Maybe try to do this close to feeding time so he’s especially hungry and motivated?