At my wits end...okay it's not that bad but...
We moved into the new house in June. The house came with a dog door that is a bit big and high for corgis. The dog that was here before was a husky.
In June I worked with Bear and Goldy to go through the door - I followed all kinds of training advice. They would go right through it when the flap was up, but put the flap down and no go.
I understood their fear, the door is a bit high for them and they literally have to jump through it and I'm sure that is scary with a big flap hitting you in the face midflight. I came up with a solution, I put the flap up with a screw and then used a shower curtain attached to the outside of the door with duct tape (I know, redneck).
They loved this solution. Both would hop right through without any hesitation. It wasn't a perfect solution, but I thought they would get more used to it and we could move on to the flap later.
Well, it's later. Winter is upon us and the shower curtain/duct tape solution simply is not feasible - waaay too much heat escaping the house.
This weekend I took the shower curtain/duct tape down and released the flap. Goldy was hesitant at first, but once she figured out that she could put her head through first, then leap through with the rest of her body - she was golden. Bear wants nothing to do with it.
I've worked with him with treats - not interested.
I've tried to force him through it - not interested.
I've tried to use his leash to guide him through it - not interested.
I've tried me on one side and my neighbor that he loves on the other - not interested.
He not only isn't interested, now he won't even go near the dog door - I think I've made the problem worse.
The problem is that I work during the day. Bear was easily housebroken and rarely if ever has had an accident in the almost two years I've owned him. I'm not worried that he'll go in the house while I'm at work, but I am worried that he'll hold it all day until I get home - which can't be good for him. Goldy is the one that still has the random accidents, so it's good that she'll use it, but what do I do about Bear????
Today I called one of those "come to your house" trainers, because I'm THAT desperate.
I'm also considering putting the shower curtain/duct tape contraption back up and hanging some heavy curtains inside, to reduce air flow.
Can anyone think of something that I haven't tried????
Comment
-
Comment by Sam Tsang on November 1, 2010 at 11:41pm
-
That's a great idea Doug!
-
Comment by Gromit, Sparkle, and Doug on November 1, 2010 at 10:04pm
-
Our door is set up with a double flap to help keep the heat out and the cool in (Arizona summers). I couldn't install the ramp at floor height so I made a very simple ramp when our previous Corgi, Tinsel, began having DM troubles can couldn't negotiate the step up/down. Tinsel's gone now but I've left the ramp in place for Gromit and for our mini-doxie, Holly. Makes their lives a little easier, I think.
-
Comment by Stephanie on November 1, 2010 at 8:51pm
-
Goldy goes through it constantly, and I thought that Bear would see her do it and realize it's okay. Now, when they're playing and she goes racing outside - he lays on the floor and looks at the dog door. I broke down and even tried his favorite laser toy - I thought if I shined it on the door he'd at least jump on it and realize that it wouldn't hurt him - he chased the laser into the kitchen, but once it hit the dog door, he stopped and looked.
-
Comment by Jennifer Markley on November 1, 2010 at 8:44pm
-
We had the same problem. We had a German Shepherd/Husky mix that used it years ago. Our dog Sage is Shepherd size, and goes through with no problem. We could hold the flap up for Seanna, and that was OK, but she wouldn't jump through on her own. UNTIL....her and Sage come downstairs and play all out while I run on the treadmill. One day, they were absolutely crazy, and Seanna was chasing Sage. She literally didn't even think about it, and chased her right through it. No problem. And ever since then, she goes in and out on her own. Do you have a dog that she'll play with and get crazy?
-
-
I just bought some steps from Bed, Bath and Beyond - they're just a bit too tall, the height keeps the flap from moving properly. I've tried some other things - cases of soda, etc, but he didn't seem to feel sure-footed on them. The door itself is stationary - it's like french doors where only one of them opens and the dog door is in the stationary one. Do, I don't have to worry about opening and closing it - if only I could find the solution.
-
-
I have tried hot dogs - but hadn't thought of salmon. Will try that tomorrow.
I'm looking into some handyman services to replace the door. I hate to spend the cash, but I think I'd end up paying it in heating bills anyway...
-
Comment by Carla on November 1, 2010 at 8:33pm
-
Could you put a little step in front of the door (a box, some pieces of wood glued together, etc.) so he can step up and peek through the door before jumping? Something that you can put down and leave during the day, but remove when you need the door?
Maybe if it's a step-through process, instead of leap through not knowing what's on the other side, he might be more inclined to go through it?
-
Comment by Beth on November 1, 2010 at 8:20pm
-
Have you tried cooking him up a nice plate of salmon and putting it outside the door? Something really stinky that he would love to get?
It can be tough if they are touch-sensitive to convince them to do something that makes them uncomfortable.
How expensive would it be to replace the door and install a more appropriately sized doggie door? That's probably what I would do.
Rescue Store
Stay Connected
FDA Recall
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall
Groups
We support...
Badge
© 2024 Created by Sam Tsang.
Powered by
You need to be a member of MyCorgi.com to add comments!
Join MyCorgi.com