MOJO problem!!!!

[dobermom]

Mojos mom called me today nearly in tears. She is in a panic because he wont use the dog door she just purchased and had installed.
I tried to explain to give him time it has only been a few hours. She says if he wont use it, I will have to take him back! She is concerned because she works from about 6:30 to 5, and is afraid he cant hold it that long.
If the flap is open, he willl eventually go through, how can I help get him to go in and out???
Remember he is about 6 years old, and a bit unsteady on his rear legs.
I WELCOME ANY ideas!!!!

[RoughCollies]

Is it the kind that the flap can be taken off of? If so, take off the flap and coax him out with the worlds greatest treat. Whatever he likes most, he gets. You can even clicker this. When he walks out, click and treat. Eventually, get him used to the flap. Otherwise, hold the flap open for a while. The most important key is to NEVER let him get away with not walking through. Once he is not afraid, try to get him to make the choice to walk out on his own. Hope this helps a little.

[dobermom]

She did leave the flap up for a while today, and he was starting to get that, but with flap down she says there is no chance.
Its too cold to keep the flap up.

[RoughCollies]

Hmmm.... try desensitizing him towards the flap them. Encourage him over to it while it isn't moving... praise, treat. Then, when he is okay with that, encourage him over to it while it is moving a little, praise and treat. Do this until he can go through. It might work, I would try it. I know this works for some dogs, because I have used it for similar things.

[dobermom]

I gotta make something work! Mojo needs to keep his home!
I am going to go over there at lunchtime all week, and try to help.

I really do think he will eventually get it, its very new to him, and his unsteadiness I'm sure doesn't help matters.

[Dax]

Weiners.... it all comes down to motivation. Take him outside and open the flap a little. Show him a weiner piece and lure him thru. Same thing with out.

I trained Dax and my old dog to use the doggy door (both were adults at the time) in about 1/2 hour.

DON'T push him thru.
DON'T force him to it.

Let his mind work it out. If they have another dog, use that as a model or crawl thru themselves (make a big show of how much fun it is. Laugh their heads off)

[dobermom]

She does have 2 other dogs, and made them go in and out when he was there.
Hopefully I can get him to do it, I think he may have more trust in me still.

[Blaze]

Lilly hated her door at first, it took days to get her used to it. Taking the flap off helped a bit. We also used treats, went and waited on the opposite side of the door and encouraged her to put her head through. After a while she got the hang of it.

I've heard that leaving the dog outside, putting their food inside and then waiting patiently for them to come through the door can help.

It's important to praise them like crazy when they use it, give them treats and make it fun for them.

It does take time though, especially if they have never used one before. I hope you can work out a way to encourage Mojo to use it! Good luck!

[Dobified]

Treats !!!! Food he will go through he just needs time. Everyone has given you great advice

[Moo]

I don't have one at home, but it's like a chute. Hold it open, call the dog through. Hold it open, call the dog through. Hold it open, call the dog through, slowly set it on his back when he is coming through. It all takes time...