The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs

by Patricia B. McConnell

So keep the leash loose while you’re doing your training at the door, although I’ll be the first to warn you that it’s not always easy. It’s so tempting for us to pull on a leash when it’s in our hand that it works better to have someone else hold the leash while you work on “wait” at the door. You can also tie the leash to a railing or to your belt if it’s a small dog, so that you won’t use it to try pulling your dog away from the door. It should be your body that keeps the dog from rushing out the door, not the leash. Once you get to the door, move yourself in front of your dog, so that you’re between the door and your dog. Stand facing your dog, with your back to the door, so that you can see what she’s doing and respond to it. If she’s crowded up against the door (which most dogs will be), back her away by moving directly toward her, herding her with body blocks away from the door. Do this quietly and gently, moving forward with small, quiet steps so that she has no choice but to back up. If she tries to dart around you, move quickly to the right or left to block her with your body. Just keep imagining yourself as a goalie whose job is to keep the ball from entering the goal. Once you have quietly and gently moved her back about 3 to 4 feet from the door, back yourself up toward the door and give a signal like “Mind” or “Wait” in a low, even-toned voice, and then partly open the door.