DOOR GAMES: A Fun Way to Teach Polite Manners and Keep Your Dog SAFE!

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Teaching your dog how to behave calmly at doors isn’t just polite—it’s essential for safety. Practicing door manners for just 2–5 minutes as part of your daily treat sessions helps your pup build positive associations and understand the “rules of the game.”

Tip: Top start practice door training when you're not going anywhere. This helps both of you focus on learning instead of being distracted by what’s on the other side of the door.

Level 1: Introduction to the Door Game

• Clip on the leash and walk toward the door together.
• Hold your leash and treats in one hand; keep your other hand free to cue a sit by touching the door handle.

The cue for sit becomes the sight and sound of your hand touching the handle—no verbal cue needed! You're building an automatic habit that’s safer and more reliable.

• Don’t ask for “sit.” Just place your hand on the door handle and silently wait.
• Focus on your dog’s butt and imagine it touching the floor.
• When they sit, you can mark with a cheerful “yes!” “Good” or click, and reward with a treat.

Level 2: Add Motion and Duration

• Repeat Level 1 until your dog begins to sit as soon as your hand reaches for the handle.
• Next, begin to slowly open the door. If your dog breaks the sit, calmly close it again (make sure your body blocks the door so your pup doesn’t slip through).
• Reward your dog for holding the sit as the door opens.
• When they can sit calmly with the door open, use your release cue—like “Let’s go!”—and walk through together.

Level 3: Who Goes First?
It depends on your dog and the context:

• If your dog is excitable or tends to bolt, you should go first more often.
• If your dog is cautious or working on confidence, let them go first more often.
• Practice walking through together to build teamwork and reinforce heel position.

Make It a Game!

Build Stay Duration

• Try going through the door while your pup waits behind.
• Release them after a few seconds and gradually increase the time.
• As they get better, you can even run out the door while they hold their sit!
• Reward with a treat, a game of tug, or simply the excitement of being released.

🎯 Need help building longer stays? Ask about using a platform—it can supercharge your stay training.

Work on Send-Aways

Once your pup understands the game, take it to the next level:

• Cue them to “Go!”—to their bed, crate, outside, or even “Go see Sally!” if safe.
• Practicing send-aways builds independence, focus, and flexibility.

Why it matters: Teaching send-aways helps when you need your dog to leave a space—like the kitchen or office—before it becomes a problem.

Polite door behavior is just the beginning. Getting you house door manners will help when you want your dog to sit stay in the car before jumping out, it’s a great habit to build. These games are building default habits—like waiting calmly, focusing on you, and responding to subtle cues. These habits can last a lifetime and help you navigate real-life situations with ease. The key? Joyful, consistent practice. Every fun training game deepens your bond, teaches emotional regulation, and helps your dog succeed in the real world.