How wonderful it is for our canine family members to have a safe, fenced, backyard to run around and play, get that burst of energy out, chase another dog, race after the kids, catch a ball or frisbee, have a bathroom break, or just bathe in the sun. Standing at the sliding glass doors, our “behind the scenes” window to the backyard, watching the frolicking fun enjoyed by our furry companions, is a pet parents’ well-earned privilege. But what about when large galumphing paws pounce against the glass doors? Of course, our knee-jerk reaction is to let the dogs in. Remember when we talked about “impulse control” and how that is a behavior all dogs will demonstrate under different circumstances, and how we need to teach them to control their impulse to react? Well, banging on the glass sliders is a perfect example of both pet and pet parents having no “impulse control” and one feeding off the other.
By yielding to the dog, banging on the glass, opening the slider allowing the dog to come inside the house, we in turn are guilty of having no impulse control. This Pavlovian response on our part, immediately opening the door to let the dog in, validates the dog’s impulse to bang on the door to get the desired response from the pet parent. So that begs the question, “Who is in control?” The pet or the pet parent?
Your dog should sit/stay before going out and before coming in. If you condone having your dog rush out through the back door to the yard, why shouldn’t he think it’s ok to run out the front door? Also, rushing into the house would be ok too, wouldn’t it?
Think back on how I always stressed how important “Sit/Stay” is when training your dog. Every client is told that “Sit/Stay” is the beginning of learning to have impulse control. You may not think it’s necessary for your dog to sit and stay in the middle of your living room, but what about sit/stay to put on a collar and lead, or sit/stay before going out for a walk, before eating? And those are just a few examples.
Simp
ly put, here’s what you need to do to stop the banging on the glass doors. Go outside with your dog. Close the door. With your back to the sliders, have your dog sit/stay facing you and the door. Open the slider while telling your dog to stay. Step inside facing your dog. Count to ten and let the dog in. Practice that a few times and when successful, step inside and close the glass slider. Repeat “stay” and hold your hand up palm facing the dog like a stop sign. Count to ten, and let your dog in.
Now you’re ready to let your dog run around the backyard while you wait at the closed door. As your dog approaches the door, hold your hand up and say sit/stay. After ten seconds let him in. If you have more than one dog, the lesson is the same.
If you teach your dog to have impulse control and wait at the door patiently, you must demonstrate impulse control and not let your dog in because you are reacting to his annoying behavior.
