How can I train my dog to close the door?

Question

So my dog knows how to open the door to let herself in the house- she only does it when she wants to come in- she will not do it to go out.  I would love to train her to close the door after she comes back in (especially when the A/C is on) 

Since I know that she can open the door- how do I go about teaching her to close it after she opens it and how do I get her to do the same thing in the opposite direction (let herself out and close the door behind her)

MountainKat · Accepted Answer

I've taught it two different ways. First, to close it from the outside, I used a pulling method by wrapping a cloth around the door handle and teaching her how to tug it closed. I had to increase her mouthiness desire because she wasn't big on picking things up with her mouth or targeting with her mouth. She uses her paws a lot.

This video will offer a visual for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EqALzQpQEk

To close it from the inside, I let her use her paws. I worked on targeting with her with her paws and eventually moved the target to the door.

Here's another video about paw targeting : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9tOdmJLVl0

? · Answer

Put a spring closer on the door.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Prime-Line-Safety-Spring-Door-Closer-White-KC10HD/100565035

Then put a cord on the inside handle so she can pull it open with her teeth.

EDIT;
Wow - thats the first dog I heard of to manage a sliding door! The problem you have is actually not teaching her to open or close the door, she can do that, its the concept of 'close it after you go through'. Thats actually quite abstract for a dog, and I've never seen one trained to do it other than on command. I can't also think of a way to teach the concept 'door is fully closed'.

The only thing I can think of is to rig up a bell so when the door opens past a certain point, it means 'close the door'.
You would have to train your dog to push the door closed when she hears the bell, using the Target method and Shaping - start with 'when you hear the bell, touch the door with your feet', then move to a more and more accurate response.

Jupiter · Answer

You could teach her the 'touch' or 'target' command- which is having her tap your outstretched hand with her nose. From that you can teach her to target other objects, and from there you could teach her to shut the door. My dogs help out in the kitchen by closing cabinets and the oven door for me!

Edit: I see some people have said the same thing, but with paws instead of nose. That could work better, depending on your dog...  mine just love to poke things with their noses, so I put it to good use!

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How can I train my dog to close the door?

3 Answers