How To Get Your Dog To Stop Bolting Out the Door

One of the most important parts of dog training is teaching your dog to avoid problematic or dangerous behaviors. One common example is jumping at or bolting out the door. Preventing this behavior is a safety issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

But training out of this behavior can feel difficult. Frustrated owners sometimes yank back on their dog’s collar or yell at their dog to try and get them to obey commands and stop the behavior. This is much more likely to fuel the bad behavior by increasing their excitement level and making it harder for them to listen.

What A Training Session Should Look Like

Dogs who race out the door the minute it’s opened have learned to associate the door with excitement. In order to counteract this behavior, you must establish it as a place they have to be calm before they can go outside. A consistent, patient training routine like the following is the best way to correct your dog and help him understand what you want from him:

Leash Manners – If your dog walks well on a leash, letting you lead him without trying to pull too hard or wriggle out of it, training is much easier and more effective. If you do have difficulties walking your dog easily on a leash, we can help you usually in just one or two training sessions.
Approach the Door With Your Dog – Do this with your dog on a leash. If he pulls or gets ready to bolt while walking to the door, turn around, walk back several feet and stop before trying again.
Have Your Dog Sit – When your dog can calmly approach the door without pulling on his leash, have him sit a few feet away by himself. Only open the door if he holds the sit.

This training regimen requires about three or four short practice sessions a day for about three to five minutes a session. These short time frames help ensure that your dog won’t become bored or distracted since the sessions can be repetitive especially at the start.

The Dangers of Bolting Out the Door

A dog that bolts out the door whenever it’s opened is a particular danger to himself and others. They may be attracted to another dog they see or a sound they hear outside but whatever the reason for it they may:

Anger or Injure A Person Who Gets In Their Way
Start A Dog Fight With A Frightened Or Aggressive Dog
Cause A Car Accident Or Get Hit By A Car
Run Too Far and Get Lost

Training your dog to exhibit the appropriate behaviors for different situations will keep him and those around him happier and safer. Changing their perception of the door as a place they must be calm instead of one where they’re allowed to get overly excited is a rewarding and worthwhile training goal. If you'd like additional help, contact Chicago Dog Trainer Marc Goldberg today. We offer phone sessions and other solutions for those that are not located in Chicago, as well as multiple in-person options for those in the Greater Chicago area.

Calvin and Colleen Sheehan (Assoc. Producer - The Oprha Winfrey Show)

Marc Goldberg with Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"

Our Philosophy & Goals

Our philosophy is simple. Improve the life of both dog and family. All too often, unruly dogs do not fully enjoy life because their families constantly become upset and frustrated with them. This is difficult for both family and dog.

Our mission is simple. Make both dog and family happy.

What does is take to make your dog happy? He will thrive when you give him leadership and attention.

Making the family happy is a bit more complex.

Families typically want their dog to:

Come when called, every time, on or off leash
Walk nicely on a loose leash without pulling
Sit until released
Down until released

Families also want their dogs:

Not to jump on people
Not to charge through doors
Not to dig in the garden
Not to bark and chew inappropriately
Not to climb on furniture you prefer they avoid
Not to sniff and eat off the table and counters.
Not to be wild and uncontrollable
Not to ignore you when you want their attention