Training your pet to use the pet door
Most pets will learn to use the pet door almost at once but there are a few
who may be a little nervous at fi rst. The following tips will help your pet to
take full advantage of the outdoor freedom and indoor comfort - which you
want for your pet – and which your new pet door provides.
The most important rule is to be patient with your pet. Don’t be in a hurry.
Let your pet work out for itself that it can go in and out of doors. Don’t
force it through the fl ap or it may become frightened.
Many pet owners install pet doors when they move house. If this applies
to you, make sure that your pet is familiar with his or her surroundings
before you fi t the pet door. Take it on supervised trips outdoors on a leash
and make sure it also feels secure and comfortable in its new indoor
environment. Cats especially can develop long lasting fears in unfamiliar
surroundings.
Once you have installed your pet door, leave the fl ap open for some time.
You can do this by using a long strip of masking tape; open the fl ap and
use the tape to keep it held open by fi xing the other end of the tape to the
surface above. Make sure that the fi xing is secure so that the fl ap can not
fall down accidentally. Let your cat become familiar with it and go in and
out freely.
Establish a motive for your pet to use the door, for cats, a good one
is food. First feed the cat near the door, inside and then near the door
outside. Repeat as often as you need to. Most cats, especially kittens,
also have a strong urge for freedom, perhaps to hunt. Cats are also social
creatures - they enjoy the company of other cats. This can be another
reason for them to explore outside.
Dogs can be trained to use the pet door in a matter of hours. Dogs
respond to encouragement, repetition and especially play, so why not use
the door as part of a game? E.g. throwing a ball through the pet door. Pat
and congratulate the dog when the pet door is used appropriately. Repeat
several times congratulating the dog every time he uses the pet door.
If this is something new to your
pet, it may take some patience
to teach your pet how to use it.
When your pet makes progress
give them a lot of praise - they’ve
earned it!
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