Shut The Door Buddy: Simple Dog Tricks To Teach and Impress

The shutting and opening door trick can be taught to all dog breeds. The only consideration maybe would be asking small size dogs to close large or heavy doors which are beyond their physical capabilities.

In teaching this trick select a door that swings easily on its hinges; drive a nail, or simply stick with double sided a makeshift hook on your door at such a distance above the floor that the dog can just reach it by standing on his hind legs with his forefeet resting against the door.

Open the door a few inches, place a small piece of treat on the hook and call your dog's attention to it, saying "Shut the door." In reaching for the treat the dog will place his forefeet on the door and this will close it. If preferable the treat can be balanced on the door handle, and shutting the door will jar it to the floor, when he should be allowed to eat it and be petted and praised.

After be has done this a few times you can advance him in his lessons by placing the treat in position while he is in another room, then call him in and say "Shut the door," directing him toward it, and if he does not go, show him the treat and encourage him to get it. In time he will understand the order and will close any door that is shown to him.

Finally, teach him to close the door without having any reward in sight, but after he shuts it in response to your command reward him with a treat. In the first lessons you need not be particular about having the door closed tight, but in later stages, insist upon its being done before any reward is given.

Dogs can be taught easily to open swinging doors, but opening fastened doors is a much more difficult act, and is possible only with those that have the easiest and simplest latches.

To teach a dog to open a swinging door call his attention to it and push it open at the bottom. Do this a number of times every day for several days, then go through the door, closing it after you, and leave your dog on the other side; call him and he will soon learn to push the door open in order to reach you.

To teach a dog to open a latch, hold the dog up to it and push it back with his paw, and say "open door" to associate this trick with this command and continue to give him practice in this way until he will push it back without your assistance.

About the Author:
Moses Chia is a dog lover and owner of DogsObedienceTraining.com ? The dog training resource site for a happier and healthier dog.

You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

---

Should Your Family Get a Purebreed Dog?

Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More

Dog Flea Control Management: How To Prevent, Treat, And Kill Dog Fleas

Dog flea control and management requires an integrated approach. For... Read More

The Different Breeds Of Dogs

The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 different dog breeds. There... Read More

Five Cat Food Factors That Discourage Feline UTD

One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract... Read More

Dog Training Book ? Why Buy One? When Everything is Free Online!

I'm a dog lover who believes that every dog owners... Read More

Taking Care of Your Sick Dog

Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses.... Read More

Facts You Need To Know About Adopting A Dog

Mum, dad, can we get a puppy? Its a plea... Read More

The Truth About Dog Food

These days, it's hard to know what decisions are the... Read More

Practical Advice for Adopting a Dog

If you are thinking of adding a dog to your... Read More

Dog Breath-It Doesnt HAVE to Be SO Bad!

While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More

Breeding Discus ? 3 Ways to Encourage Spawning

So you have a mature pair of discus fish that... Read More

Breed Success in Your Puppy Search

The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More

My Dog Won?t Stop Digging - What Can I Do?

Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More

Tips For Dog Toys

Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More

Putting A Dog To Sleep

I was talking to a friend of mine today and... Read More

How To Get Your Horse From Pulling Back While Tied

Some people have horses they don't dare tie. Why? Because... Read More

Pet Services Are A Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry

There are many of us who consider our pets as... Read More

Goldfish Feeding Tips

What's the best food for your Goldfish?Goldfish need food that... Read More

Breeding Tetra Fish Successfully

If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bird Cage

If the "tweet, tweet" of little beaks is in your... Read More

Is Nail Trimming Time A Battle?

Does the idea of trimming your dog's nails send chills... Read More

How To Stop Your Cat Spraying

The cat backs up to the door, lifts the tail... Read More

Train Your Buddy To ?Walk? & ?Dance? - Warning: Not All Dogs Can Do It!

Standing and walking on the hind legs are tricks that... Read More

If You Want a Friend, Get a Dog!

Carl Icahn, the hostile takeover master who was THE original... Read More

The ABCs of Beaks

Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to... Read More