02/12/2025
During her B&T, Nova learned that certain thresholds (doors to outside, the door of her crate, etc.) are hard boundaries. That means no darting out just because she feels like it or thinks she can.
For a dog like her with a history of running away - and who is small and fast enough that she could easily sneak out unnoticed - understanding this boundary and practicing impulse control are critical skills.
So whether a door is opened intentionally and she will eventually be invited out, or a door is left open on accident, none of that should cue her to go outside. She has learned to sit and wait at the threshold until invited out by her handler.
Is your dog rude and pushy at the door? Do they try to drag you outside when you’re about to go out for a walk or potty break? Are you worried that if the door isn’t fully latched shut, your dog will take off? Deliberately working on setting clear expectations for thresholds can make a huge difference.
