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Training your dog to use a doggy door – if you’ve just installed one – shouldn’t be too difficult; in fact, it may take only a few days or even a week. Every dog will react differently to a doggy door, with the most adventurous ones going through it immediately and with more wary ones trying to avoid it. However, most dogs will take a little time to adapt to this new way of going in and out of the house, and will need your support if they’re found backing away from the doggy door.

Some Simple Training Tips

Actually, it’s not difficult at all to train your dog to understand that a new door has been installed, although it may take some patience of your part, just follow the instructions that come with the door on how to install it and train your dog. Keep in mind that this door is new and will make some funny sounds.

You can start your dog training by pushing the flap of door open with your hand to show that he can go through it. This is even more effective if a person that the dog is familiar with stands on the other side of the door with something that the dog likes.

You can also train your dog by playing with him. If your dog likes to play fetch, throw a toy or a stick inside the house through the doggy door, which will be held open by another person. As your dog goes into the house, the other person should let go of the flap, which may make the dog hesitant to open it on its own. This will happen a few times, but then its playfulness will win in the end. You can speed up this process by holding up the flap and pushing the dog gently.

You can also take advantage when your dog needs to eat or rest to make it go inside the house through the door. Never scold or punish your dog because he hesitates to use the doggy door, all you’re going to do is make it think the door is wrong or bad. Try the reward system instead.

If you know of any relative or friend who uses a doggy door for their dog, it’ll be helpful for your dog to see this other dog, and this will speed up the training process. Generally, if a dog watches another dog doing something – that will push him to do the same and you’ll soon have your dog fully trained to use a doggy door.

A dog door that lets your dog leave the house and come back without your intervention will benefit both you and your dog. Not only will your dog have the freedom of being able to go outside as they please but it will save you the effort of having to open the door every time they want to go out.

For instance, if your dog drank too much water or got sick because of something it ate, it will want you to get up and let it out, or else you’ll end up cleaning after it, or you can avoid the problem altogether by installing a doggie door. Then, you just have to decide how to go about getting the doggie door installed. The first option that comes to mind is to ask a professional to come and do the job, but why do that when you can do it yourself?

How to Install It

If you want to take on the challenge of installing a pet door in your home for your furry friend, there are just a few easy steps you will need to follow. To get started you first want to determine the door placement, where you are going to have the pet flap situated on the door of your home. The size and height of your dog will be important factors.

You want the door to be located in the best spot to make it easy and convenient for your dog to make it through. Bigger dogs might require you to adjust the height of the doggie door, and remember that your dog may still grow, depending on its age. The size of your dog is also important to consider because the door will need to be large enough that your dog will not stand a chance of getting stuck in it on their way in or out of the house.

It’s better to remove your door from its hinges before you install a doggie door on it, because it will allow you to make marks on it with a pencil and a ruler and it will make process more comfortable for you. You will find doggy door fixings or sets that include everything you need for the installation, including the door, hinges or fixtures, the screws and bolts you need, and even a plan.

Follow the steps mentioned on the plan or the instructions, make sure that you have all the tools you need before the installation begins, and after installing the doggie door, and put your door back on it’s hinges.