Episode 39: 5 Big SA Lockdown Myths
The Door is a Bore
A 10-step door desensitization game. The goal: make the door so boring that your dog doesn’t even bother to watch you walk toward it.
Before you start
- Repeat each step 10 times, or until your dog is uninterested. (Watching and following at a normal pace is okay.)
- If the dog shows any signs of anxiety, tension, or stress, go back to an easier step for a while longer.
- Each time you start a practice session, begin with a warm-up — a previous step or two where they’re really comfortable.
Push to a harder step when:
10 repetitions done AND no signs of worry or distress.
Drop to an easier step when:
You see even slight signs of worry or distress. Go back immediately.
The 10 steps
Walk to door but stop 6 feet short, return
Walk to door but stop 3 feet short, return
Walk to door, touch door, return
Walk to door, turn/depress door handle, return
Walk to door, touch lock, return
Walk to door, turn lock, return
Walk to door, open and close door, return
Walk to door, open and step outside (keep door open), step back
Walk to door, open and step outside, close door, open & step back
Walk to door, open and step outside, close door for count of 1, open & step back
Next steps
Once your dog can handle step 10, build up in one-second increments. When you can get to 5 seconds with the door closed, switch to a 5-second duration session on the app.
Listen to the full episode for more on this topic:
Episode 39: 5 Big Separation Anxiety Lockdown Myths →
Written by Julie Naismith
Dog separation anxiety specialist. 15 years of experience, 100,000+ guardians helped, author of four books, and creator of the Be Right Back program.
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