If your dog has already been trained with the clicker to engage in a different behavior, you might confuse the dog if you try to retrain it to sit instead of engage in its original behavior.
Put your dog far away from (but within eyesight of) the door. If your dog starts moving after being seated, put your hand up and say sharply “Stop!” Re-seat your dog in its original spot and repeat the exercise. If your dog has difficulty remaining seated, get a friend to help your dog stay seated while you can open and close the door. When your dog is able to remain seated despite you opening and closing the door, give it a treat (even if it took help to keep him stationary). Get in the habit of giving your dog a treat each time it is able to remain seated when the door opens. To prevent your dog from running out when you come home, repeat this exercise but enlist aid from a helper who opens the door from the outside. This way, your dog will know to stay seated when you come in.
Do not train your dog in the presence of guests or other distractions. Issue the command to sit every time you or someone in the house opens the door. Give your dog a treat when it sits. Even after training, keep an eye on your dog. Sometimes the excitement of an open door or a new person can inspire him or her to dash outside. When entering your home, open the door slowly and come in quickly, staying alert for potential dog movement.
When your dog continues to run outside, increase the time it spends outside by 30 seconds. For instance, the second time it runs out, catch its leash in the door again and wait 60 seconds before bringing it back in. Wait 90 seconds on the third escape attempt, and so on. Be careful not to catch your dog’s tail in the door when closing it during the escape. If you are coordinated and quick enough, you can simply step on the length of leash dragging behind your dog instead of closing the door on it as your dog exits.
Pet-proof sprays serve a similar purpose, though they have a different design. Spray cans are battery-operated and should be placed near the door you do not want your dog to run out of. Switch the spray can on. When your doggie approaches the door, the device will emit a harmless spray whenever your pet approaches the door. Be sure to turn the device off when you’re not expecting to open the door through which the dog might disappear. [8] X Research source Both pet sprays and barriers can prevent your dog from bolting when you or someone else is coming into the house. Set the spray or barrier before you exit the house so that when you come back, your dog will not run past you and escape.
Tethering your dog should be a last resort since it can be dangerous or detrimental for your dog. Try to avoid tethering your dog when you go out of the house for long periods. Your dog should be able to move about, access its food and water, and play with its toys when alone in the house. [10] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Do not tether your dog near stairs. If your dog tries to jump down the stairs it could hang itself.
