Closing doors

[Janice]

Hi

I just wondered if anyone had taught their dog to close doors and if so how hard it is and how to start.

Dale doesn't need any lessons in opening them so it would be nice if he'd learn to close them and save us the bother.

I'm experimenting with clicker training and I know I saw an article about using clickers for this but er... it was in the bit of the magazine Dale ate!

[Deborah Hamilton]

Hi Janice,
I used to have a retriever that opened doors then closed them.
Have you tried getting Dale to pull something attatched to the door handle to get to grips with 'close'?
Then getting Dale to push the door with a paw, treat then paw again.

perseverence and patience too comes into it. Good luck.

[John Thomson]

Hi Janice,

I haven't come across this before.......I can only suggest you guide him to close the door ( with a paw or nose?) then treat and praise immediately and repeat.

any other suggestions anyone?
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Janice]

I've just found the solution on a site called canineconcepts.co.uk It has lots of information about training and tricks. I think Eleanor suggested it for something else. Anyway I've no excuse now. Dale has cut his leg and he's not supposed to run about too much so I'll try to tire him out closing doors

[kendal]

cool i will be having a look at the site to.

aww hope Dale gets better soon

[Eleanor]

hi Janice

sorry its taken a while for me to spot this one

you teach Dale to close doors using clicker training and a target stick, I will explain this in more detail when you next at the club

Dale being a collie will find this very easy (as he does everything else).........smart cookie

speak soon


Eleanor

[Janice]

Just to show off. Dale is now closing doors all over the house Even when Mike's trying to walk into the room with two full mugs of coffee
He really enjoys clicker training. Now I just have to pick up the clicker and some treats for him to start working out what he can do to get a click . It's the best way I've found yet to occupy him when he looks bored.
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Janice and Dale

[Deborah Hamilton]

Sonds good. I will have a look at that one. Cheers