As a proud goldendoodle owner and professional pet trainer, I am often asked by my fellow doodle lovers how to train dog to use pet door. Installing a doggy door can provide your pup with the freedom to go outside to potty or play without you having to constantly let them in and out.

But training your dog to actually use that pet portal can sometimes be a challenge. Never fear – with some patience, positive reinforcement, and the tips I’ll share below, you’ll have your Goldendoodle going in and out on its own in no time!

Why Use a Pet Door?

Before we look into the training process, let’s talk about some of the key benefits of installing a pet door for your doodle:

• Convenience: No more interrupting your Zoom meetings or Netflix binges to let the dog out! A pet door allows your pup to take themselves out as needed.
• Potty Training Aid: For younger doods still mastering potty training, easy access to the yard can help prevent accidents in the house.
• Exercise & Enrichment: A doggy door allows your Goldendoodle to burn off some of that boundless doodle energy playing outside whenever they please. This can provide much-needed mental stimulation.
• Emergency Escape: In the event of an emergency like a fire, a pet door provides an additional exit path for your dog to get out of the house to safety.

Of course, pet doors aren’t right for every situation. If you don’t have a securely fenced yard, live in an area with lots of other animals or wild critters that could enter through the door, or have a dog with separation anxiety who may try to escape and run away, a pet door may not be advisable. Consider your specific circumstances before installing one.

Choosing the Right Pet Door

Once you’ve decided a pet door is right for you and your Goldendoodle, you’ll need to select the proper door. Here are some factors to consider:

Size

The pet door needs to be the appropriate size for your dog to fit through comfortably. Measure your doodle’s width and height and add an inch or two to each for the door dimensions. If you have a mini goldendoodle, a small or medium door should suffice, while standard and large doodles will need a bigger door.

Installation Location

You can install pet doors in regular doors, walls, sliding glass doors, or even windows in some cases. Consider which option makes the most sense for your home’s layout and your dog’s needs. An easily accessible location away from main entrances usually works best.

Door Features

Pet doors come with various features like insulated flaps, locking covers, electronic opening mechanisms, etc. Consider your climate, home security needs, and budget when comparing options. For most Goldendoodles, I recommend a simple, sturdy door with a clear flap.

Training Your Doodle to Use the Pet Door

With your pet door selected and installed, it’s time to train your Goldendoodle to master the fine art of the doggy door dash. The keys to success are taking it slow, using plenty of positive reinforcement, and having patience with your pup throughout the process.

Introduce the Door

Start by showing your doodle the new pet door and letting them sniff and investigate it. Prop the flap open and encourage them to look through it or even poke their head out.

Reward any interest in the door with praise and high-value treats. The goal is to teach your dog that the pet door is a good thing that leads to happy outcomes, not something scary or confusing. If your pup seems nervous, go slow and keep sessions short, always ending on a positive note.

Teach “Through”

With your Goldendoodle comfortable around the door, start teaching them to walk through it. With the flap propped open, stand on one side of the door with your dog. Give a command like “through” or “outside” and toss a treat through the opening to the other side.

When your dood goes through the door to eat the treat, lavish them with praise. Repeat this several times until your dog is eagerly going through the door on their own when you give the command.

Practice With the Flap

Once your Goldendoodle has mastered going through the propped open door, start lowering the flap a little at a time as they pass through. Give extra encouragement and yummier treats if they seem hesitant to push through the flap.

If your dog stops going through, raise the flap back up and practice more at that level. Keep sessions short and fun. With repetition and rewards, your dood will soon be batting through that flap like a pro!

Increase Distance

After your dog is confidently pushing through the flap on their own, start gradually increasing the distance you send them through. Begin by standing a step or two away from the door, then halfway across the room, then go into a different room entirely. Call your dog to you, then give the “through” command and point to the pet door.

When they come through to you, reward them generously. This teaches your Goldendoodle to go through the door even when you’re not right there.

Add Distractions

Life is full of distractions, so it’s important to prove your dog’s pet door skills around lots of diversions. Practice sending them through the door while bouncing a ball, ringing the doorbell, squeezing a squeaky toy, and any other attention-grabbing sounds and activities you can think of.

Reward your doodle big time for staying on task and using the pet door even with the distractions. If they get sidetracked, go back to an easier level and work back up. The more you practice, the more reliable your dog’s response will become.

Go Outside

It’s now time to generalize the behavior to the great outdoors! With your Goldendoodle and some treats or toys, head out into the yard. Call your dog, then give the command to go “through” or “inside” while pointing to the pet door. They should run to the door, push through the flap, and come find you inside the house.

Reward them well, then head back out and repeat the exercise going the other direction. Practice sending your dog in and out through the pet door from all over the yard. Hide and make it a game for them to find you by going through “their” door. The more fun you make it, the faster your doodle will learn!

Troubleshooting Pet Door Problems

Even with proper training, you may occasionally run into snags with your Goldendoodle using the pet door. Here are some common issues and how to work through them when learning how to train dog to use pet door:

• Hesitant to push the flap: If your dood balks at going through the closed flap, try temporarily taping or tying it open, sending them through a few times, and then lowering it slightly. Repeat this process until they’re confidently pushing through again.
• Confused about going out vs coming in: If your pup goes out the pet door but then barks to be let in the regular door, or vice versa, go back to practicing going through the door in both directions with you on the opposite side calling them.
• Using the door too much: Some doodles get a little over-enthusiastic with their newfound freedom! If your dog is constantly in and out, start giving lots of praise and treats for calm behavior inside. Provide plenty of enrichment toys to keep them happily occupied in the house.
• Skipping the door when you’re home: If your Goldendoodle only uses the pet door when you’re not there to let them out manually, keep the regular door closed and direct them to the pet door every time they need to go out, even when you’re home. Reward them for using “their” door until it becomes a habit.

With consistency, patience, and plenty of positive reinforcement, any initial issues can usually be resolved fairly quickly. But if your Goldendoodle is really struggling, don’t hesitate to consult a professional positive reinforcement-based trainer for personalized help.

Conclusion

Training your Goldendoodle to use a pet door can be a real game changer, providing them (and you!) with more freedom and flexibility. The keys are selecting the right size door, starting training slowly with lots of rewards, and building up duration and distractions gradually.

By following the steps outlined above and being patient with your pup, you’ll have your dood dashing in and out on their own in no time. And if you run into any roadblocks, don’t give up! With some troubleshooting and consistency, you and your Goldendoodle will soon be enjoying all the benefits a pet door has to offer.