The Do’s and Don’ts of Pet Door Training
We are real animal lovers here in Queensland and adding a furry family member like a beautiful puppy, kitten or even rescuing an older dog or cat from a shelter seems like a great idea to many families across the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
However, there are a few things to consider when bringing the new bundle of furry joy home. Apart from making sure you have the time, energy and resources to raise a new best friend for many years to come, there are important steps to ensure your new family member fits right in and remains safe, happy and content as they grow.
First step is identifying any potential hazardous areas around your home.
Ensure you have secure fencing, no easy-dig or escape areas, and safeguard all rooms in the house to make sure there are no accidents waiting to happen.
When looking outside consider toxic plants. Did you know the humble aloe vera plant can cause diarrhea; tomato plants can cause gastrointestinal problems and sago palms are totally toxic for dogs? So do some research and eliminate potential issues with a little foresight. Obviously fertilisers and poisons need to be stored well out of reach but also consider the dangers of balcony areas in case small pets can slip through and fall.
Inside, it’s important to tidy up any dangling cords they might like to chew on or even play with, bringing down your sound system and everything else on the shelf with it. Pop a fire screen around your fireplace and close your washing machine and dryer doors when not in use – there’s nothing like a warm dryer for kittens to curl up in and potentially become trapped in the midst of bustling family life.
Food is definitely a weakness for pets, and even though the Belgians swear by chocolate as treats, Australian Vets say this is definitely toxic for our pets. But did you know caffeine, garlic, avocado, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts and onions are off the menu for dogs too?
So a simple solution is to keep your pets out of the kitchen and away from potential cooking dangers, even with a baby gate if necessary. Your dog may love human food and see left-overs as gourmet treats, but if it’s out of date, it goes in the bin! And while we hate to admit it, dogs love drinking out of toilet bowls – yuk! So reconsider any heavy duty cleaning products used in your toilets. Pop all medications out of reach and make sure all bins have lids.
Now we have the safety issues around the home out of the way, how can we ensure our pets can be safe from cold winters, stormy weather and excessive heat in summer and have access to outside if they need to potty?
The most popular way is through dog doors and cat doors.
Pet Doors offer freedom for both animals and their owners. When your pets can enjoy easy access to outside and the protection to come in from bad weather, it’s a relief for the whole
family. With easy access day and night, pet doors can even make puppy training a breeze, not to mention offering the independent cat the freedom they deserve. Just think – no more scratching or whining at the door in the early hours or when you’ve finally sat down after a long day.
But how do you train a dog or cat to use a pet door?
While some pets will take to their new pet doors with ease, some cats and dogs can be more hesitant and nervous. Our best advice is consistency. Humans can struggle with this but pets thrive on it. Use familiar words that you may use when you want them to enter the house like ‘Come on’, ‘Let’s go’ or ‘Inside’/’Outside’.
Attempt to use familiar tones – excited for pets that enjoy being hyped or soft and even for the more timid natured ones.
Be patient, stay calm and use positive reinforcement and of course, rewards and treats.
Make sure you set aside at least 10 minutes, a couple of times a day to focus on this training. However, more than 10 minutes at a time and your pet will possibly become bored or frustrated. Remember, your pet doesn’t understand what is expected of them yet, so work at their pace and make it interesting and rewarding. Again, consistency and a calm manner are better than hours of tireless training.
All the experts say never push your pet through the door or punish them for not using it. Create positive associations with the door and establish trust. Encourage your pet to sniff, paw, and push the door with their nose.
You can use your hand to move the flap back and forth, showing them it’s not scary and familiarising them with the sound of the door. Praise and reward your pet for their curiosity. Now surround the door area with some treats. Place them around the frame and even on the door’s entrance. This will encourage your pet’s curiosity and create a sense of familiarity with the door.
Now clip the door flap open. Use their favourite toys and most desired treats on either side of the door and encourage the pet to pass through the open door.
Praise and reward your pet whenever they venture near or through the door. This step can be easier with two people, so enlist another family member or house mate to help out. Don’t over praise though, it is easy to overwhelm animals and over stimulate, causing confusion or distraction especially when learning something new. Stay consistent, calm and supportive of your fur baby’s journey to freedom.
Call the pet’s name and encourage them to come to the other side. Lay a trail of treats from one side all the way through the door and out the other side. Even place their food bowl on the other side of the door. Repeat this calling, toy throwing or treat encouraging a few times. If your pet is still hesitating, take a break and try again later or even the following day.
Remember, pets need plenty of rest breaks in between learning new skills and this training should take only a few days to a week to master. When your pet finally passes through the door, ensure you repeat this action 5-10 times with plenty of praise to establish this memory.
Once your pet is happily passing through the door with ease, release the flap gently and slowly with your hand as the pet passes through. The door should just touch them lightly on their back so they get used to the sensation. Continue this a few times until your furry friends are comfortable. Remember to praise and reward them here too – each step is an accomplishment for you and your pet.
Now add distance. Stand further back and call your pet through the door. Even knock on another door encouraging your pet to use the pet door to enter the house and sound the alarm of someone at the front door. For further consistency, only let your pet enter or exit through their pet door.
This can be important for those pets who are really struggling to understand this new concept. There’s no need to punish them if they get it wrong and go back to their usual door and scratch or meow. Just gently show them the pet door again and encourage them with treats and praise.
It may take a little practice and some patience but Glass Now’s Pet Doors really do make a simple solution for easy access for your pets. They are a great asset from puppy training through to old age. Plus, they offer you peace of mind whether you are home or away and pet doors offer them 24/7 independence – what a relief for the whole family.
For more information about pet door installation on the Gold Coast, contact our Gold Coast team and regarding pet door installation in Brisbane, contact our Brisbane office.
