Impulse Control

Charging Through Doors

Door charging can pose serious safety risks for your dog and others. Training your dog to control this impulse is an essential step to ensure safety at home and in public.

Why Door Charging is Dangerous

Charging through doors can be perilous for your dog. If you live near a road, your furry friend could get hit by a car. This behavior needs to be addressed promptly to prevent any accidents.

Safety Precautions During Training

While training your dog out of this habit, always take extra precautions. Utilize baby gates, tethers, or crates to prevent your dog from reaching open doors. Ensure your dog has identification tags with your contact details in case of any accidental escapes.

Teaching Sit and Stay at Doors

To stop door charging, teach your dog to sit and stay at doors. This simple command will help your dog wait patiently for your cue before moving through an open door.

Step-by-Step Door Training

Introduce Sit and Stay

Begin by teaching your dog to sit and stay. Use treats to encourage and reward your dog for staying still as you open a door slightly. If your dog moves, close the door promptly.

Extend the Stay

Gradually open the door wider and ask your dog to hold the sitting position for longer. When your dog stays seated, provide a treat and use a release word like “Okay” to signal they can move.

Teaching Go to Your Spot

Encourage your dog to go to a designated spot away from the door when someone visits. This can prevent impulsive reactions and maintain a calm environment.

Spot Selection and Basic Training

Choose and Train the Spot

Select a spot visible from the door but safely away, like the corner of a hallway. Guide your dog to the spot, using a treat as the lure and repeating the action while using the cue “Go to your spot.”

Adding Duration and Distance

Build Up the Challenge

Once your dog reliably goes to the spot, increase the time and distance you move away. Encourage your dog to stay there while you add in distractions such as mild noises or visitors coming in.

Practicing with Visitors

Simulate Real-Life Scenarios

Recruit friends or family to practice greeting scenarios. Instruct your dog to go to the spot and reward them for maintaining the stay while the "visitor" moves through the door.

Every Dog Is Different

The right approach depends on why your dog does this — and that varies by temperament, history, and environment. The Synchrony coach can tailor these principles to your dog's specific behavior profile.

Based on ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist content, adapted for the Data Driven Dogs training framework.