Training Your Pet to Use a Pet Door
Having Two People Helps
If you have a friend or family member who is available, it can be helpful to have a second person with you so there is someone on both sides of the door or wall. This helps the pet learn that they can go back and forth, both in and out.
Works for Dogs and Cats
Even if they have never used a pet door before, almost any pet can be easily trained to use your new Hale Pet DoorTM by using a few simple guidelines.
The most important things to remember are patience and positive reinforcement.
Never force or push your pet through the pet door. This is a new experience for them and they need time to adapt.
Make this a fun experience for both your pet and you and success will usually come quickly.
Wait until your pet wants to go outside to use the pet door for the first time. At this time, bring your pet to the pet door, go to the other side of the door and open the flaps toward you.
Gently coax your pet through the door by using his favorite toy or treat. You can use the same method in reverse to bring your pet back inside when he is ready.
Repeat this process at least a few times to get your pet familiar with the idea of going through this new opening.
After repeating the above process once or twice, gently lay the flaps on your pet’s back when he walks through the door. (This will get him used to the feeling of the flaps on his back and also get him used to the idea of pushing on the flaps.)
Each time your pet comes through the door, you should hold open the flaps a little less and let him begin pushing on them. Finally, show your pet that the flaps are easily movable and not an impassable barrier. Do this by gently flipping the flaps open. This entire process is usually done in one afternoon.
Training Flaps Can Help
NOTE: Occasionally a timid animal will initially experience some reluctance with pushing open the flaps. To help acclimate your pet to this new experience, we offer a temporary training flap to replace the standard door flap. This training flap is made of a lighter weight material, has no strikes to hit the magnets and has been vertically slashed several times to make it extremely easy for the animal to push open. After your pet is used to their new door, the training flap can again be replaced with the standard flap to maintain the security and insulation of your Hale Pet Door™.
If you experience trouble in the training process, please call or email for free advice and suggestions. We can be reached Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Toll-free 1-800-646-4773 or email info@halepetdoor.com