Twilite Lady
SE Arizona Desert
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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I am sitting awaiting Animal Control to show up at our door. From the screaming coming from our yard one would certainly think that she is being tortured out there. We are now into day 2 of the Doggie Door Hostage Crises situation. I'm voting for the kind of ear plugs they use on shooting ranges but my husband said no. Rats!
What really gets me is when we kennel her for our work travel she uses a doggie door there with no problems whatsoever. Now that we have moved back to our home in the Desert we now have the same capability here for her. We thought this was wonderful! She could come and go into her yard at whim. But nooooo, we put her on the other side of the dog door and it sounds like she is being tortured. We have used treats and kibble to coax her in thru the door and out thru the door to no avail.
My husband and I can ignore the pitiful cries and screams but I don't know how much longer the neighbors will. Oh, we don't leave her out there for hours on end or anything. We give her 30 minutes and then we give up.
Suggestions on what to do with this spoiled, stubborn, willful child?
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Hiker3
Florida
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Joined: 01/21/2007
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Ouch.
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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Not for nothing, but doggie doors are the worst thing you can do for your dog.
They need to understand that YOU let them out.
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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Joined: 07/21/2007
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I don't like doggie doors, but if are focused on using one, then you have to make it a fun game for the dog. Right now, the dog is controling you over the door. Let it rest fo several weeks, then make a game of just going close to the door, working up to touching it. Open the door altogether or take off the flap. With someone on each side make a game of it. Always stop on a high note, never get frustrated, and go slowly.
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corgi-traveler
Bakersfield, CA
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Joined: 12/14/2007
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Rollincool wrote:Not for nothing, but doggie doors are the worst thing you can do for your dog.
They need to understand that YOU let them out.
Maybe it's just me but I believe setting your pup on fire is the worst thing you can do for your dog.
Dogs need to understand pack order and that you are in charge. This is a true statement.
Use of a dog door (or not) has no bearing on that concept. My dogs use dog doors. On my terms. When I order "in" or "out", that's where they go, and the locks get a lot of use. THey are allowed on furniture. On my terms. They are allowed to do a lot of things, but only on my terms.
As for how to get your dog through one, the best way is to have a dog who "knows" doggie doors come over and visit. Preferably one she likes to play with. They learn pretty quickly by example. If you have to teach her yourself, start by pushing her in and out a few times, but playfully, with treat rewards on each side. Then leave her alone till dinnertime. If she's outside, make a big show of putting her bowl down, just INSIDE the dog door. Not advocating feeding there all the time, just a few meals until it "clicks" that the flap isn't going to kill her.
Samantha (the poster)
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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Joined: 07/07/2003
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Desert=coyotes, at least in these parts. I sure wouldn't make her stay out there. If it's just a matter of getting her used to the doggie door, I'd prop it partway open with one of her favorite toys. If she can see some daylight around the toy, she may get the idea. I'd quit pushing the issue, as it seems to have turned into a separation anxiety problem. Wayne tw made some good suggestions.
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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Try better treats???? I'm thinking steak might do the trick.....LOL!!!
Deb
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fpresto
Maryland
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Joined: 08/01/2007
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Rollincool wrote:Not for nothing, but doggie doors are the worst thing you can do for your dog.
You seem to be stating this as a fact. If it is a fact maybe you should provide some references. If it is your opinion you might consider labeling it as such to eliminate confusion.
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Twilite Lady
SE Arizona Desert
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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Update. We have success! She started using the door this morning. She talks to it first and then uses it.
I'd like to address some concerns that were raised. She is not a puppy but 4 years old and understands who her pack leaders are.
I have been using dog doors with my dogs since the early 90's with no problems whatsoever. They have all enjoyed being able to go out into their enclosed yards.
She is locked in the house when we are gone. Her dog door is located in our AZ room that is off the breakfast room. She is unable to just roam the yard unless we open the sliding door to the AZ room and this only happens when we are home.
We live on a golf course. Our backyard is enclosed with a concrete block and wrought iron fence.
Coyotes and roadrunners quit roaming here when they started building houses across the fairway from us in the 90's.
She uses dog doors when we kennel her while travel for work, this is not a new experience for her.
I don't understand why you believe that dog doors are a bad thing? And I also don't understand why this is "setting my pup on fire". So could those 2 posters please explain this to me. And no, I am not being sarcastic, I truly do not understand what you are talking about. If you wish to PM on the subject I would rally like to know why you feel this way.
Thanks to everyone for their input.
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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Joined: 07/07/2003
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Twilite Lady wrote:Update. We have success! She started using the door this morning. She talks to it first and then uses it.
Yay! That's great news! We have the exact same situation that you do, our dogs come in and doggie door is locked whenever we leave the house. Not just because of wild critters but because neighbor kids, gardener or somebody could conceivably leave the gate open. If we are home, that's not going to happen. Our little dogs and cat all come in once the sun goes down, too. Although this neighborhood is 45 yrs old, an occasional coyote still picks himself off a snack. We keep puppy pads down for times when the doggie door is closed. Not the greatest solution, granted, but it works for us.
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