How do I stop my dog from bolting out the door?
Establish a pact with all family members and housemates that everyone will keep the dog from escaping out doors. This means training the people and alerting all visitors to your home. * Teach the Doggie Doorknob Rule. Explain to everyone living or visiting your home, especially children: do not turn the doorknob until you know where the dog is, and you are sure the dog can’t get loose and run out the door. * Tell visitors when they are preparing to leave your home not to open the door until your dog is secured. Make sure the dog is confined in another room, on a leash by your side, or taught reliably to “stay” or “wait.” * Do daily practice sessions to train the dog that he can never go out the door without your express permission. And/or take basic obedience classes, which will help you learn to keep your dogUs attention in an environment of distractions. * Start by teaching the key commands of RSitS and “Stay.” Remember, you must first teach the dog what the basic command words and h
