I have no doubt the Click & Treat enthusiasts could come up with as good, or better, method for training one's dog not to bolt from a car door, through an opened gate, or out the opened door of one's home. This method, however, was taught to me some 25 years ago and has probably saved the life of each and every one of my Boxers since then. Train Your Boxer Not to Bolt!
by Rozanne Lovell
Door/Gate TrainingAge of the dog is not a factor; any dog can and will learn it, given a loving and diligent owner. Like all training, consistency, praise, and frequency of training will determine how quickly one has success. One person can do this training; however two in attendance (at least for the initial training) will work better. Sharpen up your reflexes for this one!
Leash the dog (have your helper, if there is one, just behind the dog). Walk toward a door, begin to open it, and as the dog begins to bolt through the door, have the helper give a sudden, quick pop (jerk, if you will) on the leash -- enough to bring the dog up short. Simultaneously, you (at the door) issue the sharp/stern command, "WAIT!". Neither you nor your helper is to physically restrain the dog (i.e. place your hands on the dog's body) at any time during this exercise. When the dog suddenly stops (because he's been restrained by the leash!), quickly praise him lavishly; it makes no difference that he didn't think of stopping by himself!!
Do this exercise about 2 or 3 times only............then repeat the whole thing at another time during the day. Done twice daily (and always remember the praise for him), this should bring results within a week or so. Do not, however, trust him 100% for several months. Do not stop the training, just because he has learned not to bolt. Just change the training slightly....... and don't use your human helper, leaving the dog's lead loose on the floor.
When you're totally satisfied that your dog is not going to bolt through that door, move to another door and work at that one for a week or two. With the car, turn QUICKLY to face the dog as you exit your car door. Effectively block his escape with your body (again, do not restrain him by touching/holding onto his body!), while issuing the stern command, "WAIT!" Do this exercise over and over, until you feel that he will never, ever exit the car until given that release word of "OK" (or, whatever release word you've decided to use with him). Immediately, along with his release word, praise him lavishly!
ONE NEVER ISSUES A COMMAND TO A DOG WITHOUT HAVING A RELEASE WORD READY...........THE DOG MUST NEVER RELEASE HIMSELF FROM ANY COMMAND OR EXERCISE!
Gate training is the last exercise in this series. One goes at it in exactly the same manner as with the door inside the house. And no matter when the dog received his gate training, it's always wise for the owner to refresh it at least once or twice weekly..........for the entire life of the dog. By the way, that life will be much longer if you only take the time and effort to do the training thoroughly! Good luck..........and as always, have fun with it!
Copyright 1997 Rozanne Lovell & The Boxer Mailing List
