Doggie Door Training
Cats or dogs, especially those that like to go outside, are not hard to train to use a pet door. Size is generally not an issue, we've seen a 6 lb cat use the largest double flap doggie door on the market. If you've ever held onto a cat that didn't want to be held, you already know how strong they are! Here are a few tips that will make training simpler:
1. The first tip is the most important! DO NOT GRAB YOUR PET BY THE BUTT AND PUSH THEM THROUGH THE PET DOOR!
Instead, hold the flap open or tape it open and call the pet through with a treat or a favorite toy as a motivator.
2. Have the pet go through the door in both directions until he/she is comfortable with the idea of going through the pet door with no obstruction. 3. Let the flap touch the pet's head and back as they go through. 4. When they are comfortable with the flap touching them, then get them to push on it by just barely cracking it open. 5. When #4 is done, just stand on the other side with the treat or toy and call to them.
That is really all there is to it! We've seen cats that immediately ran through a large dog door with no hesitation whatsoever, and dogs that wouldn't use their new doggy door by themselves for two weeks. If you have more than one pet, training will be easier as the first dog or cat to get it will help to teach the more reticent ones.
More tips for pet door training:
If you have a pet which won't use the pet door unless you are standing on the other side with a treat, consider the possibility that your pet has trained you to give them a treat in return for going through the door. Your pet understands how to use the door. Just stop playing the game, and they will go out when they need to. You would be surprised how often we get this call.