My dog bolts whenever the door is opened – any advice?

J
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Hi everyone, I’ve got two spaniels at home.

The first one is very timid and doesn't wander off too far if we aren't right by her side.

However, the second one is a complete handful; she's totally unmanageable when she manages to slip through our legs as soon as the door opens.

She’s done it three times today already. I know it's because cats often cut through our garden and she tracks them because she absolutely hates them, but today she made it all the way to the road (I live in a large courtyard and we can’t put up any gates or fences at the entrance because of the shop next door that shares the space...).

She’s really scaring me because her recall is non-existent, and it honestly feels like she thinks it's a game. She seems to enjoy me chasing her and shouting for her to come back, as she just runs towards me and then darts off in another direction again...

Three times in one day is just too much. When it's me dealing with it, I can manage (for now), but the others in the house (especially my mum) just haven't got a chance of catching her.

If anyone has any solutions, I'd be really grateful!

Translated from French
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15 answers
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  • J
    Jurmnt Icon representing the flag French
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    Well, obviously they're on a lead when we take them out --'

    But I've still got to get in and out of the house through the front door... I'm not going to keep them tied up all day or shut them in one room; they have the run of the house...

    Naïa just slips between your legs whenever someone's coming or going...

    Translated from French
    Gabyn
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    I don't get it, aren't they on leads? Both of my dogs are on their leads before I've even opened the door to head out onto the landing.
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    J
    Jurmnt Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for your reply! 😌 If the extendable gate isn't high enough, she'll just jump over it, and we still need to be able to open the door and get in ourselves... And she’s such a scatterbrain; honestly, if she so much as sees a fly I’ve lost her attention straight away... I’m going to go to training classes, and I’ll try to teach her ‘stay’ in the meantime, but with her instincts and her hatred of cats, I don’t know if I’ll ever manage to keep her under control 😭
    Translated from French
    J
    Jurmnt Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for your reply! 😌 If the extendable gate isn't high enough, she'll just jump over it, and we still need to be able to open the door and get in ourselves... And she’s such a scatterbrain; honestly, if she so much as sees a fly I’ve lost her attention straight away... I’m going to go to training classes, and I’ll try to teach her ‘stay’ in the meantime, but with her instincts and her hatred of cats, I don’t know if I’ll ever manage to keep her under control 😭
    Translated from French
    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
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    Put up an extendable pet gate in front of the door so she can't slip out. Along with that, teach her to wait before she’s allowed to go out. You’ll need to work at it consistently, but the effort will definitely pay off in the end! ^^
    Translated from French
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