Day 11 – Close Door

Shut the Front Door! Today, we’re teaching the “Close Door” cue from the AKC’s Intermediate Trick List. This is a fun and practical trick with lots of real-world uses. Imagine coming home with your arms full of groceries and asking your dog to close the door for you—how amazing would that be?

There are a few different ways to teach this trick, so we’ll walk you through a couple of approaches, including using a post-it note target and teaching it with your dog’s paw using the “shake” cue.

Sometimes our dogs have their own ideas about how a trick should work. We started teaching “close door” to Grizz using a post-it note, intending for him to close doors with his nose. True to form, Grizz decided he’d rather use his paw—no surprise for a dog who loves foot targeting more than anything. This serves as a great reminder that, as dog trainers, staying flexible and adapting to our dogs’ preferences and strengths can lead to even better results. 

So, for those of you with Grizz-like pups, feel free to embrace their creativity! If they decide to use their paw instead of their nose for this trick, just roll with it—there’s no right or wrong way as long as the job gets done (and it doesn’t involve a paw slap for a “kiss” cue). 

 

 

 

Method 1: Using a Post-It Note Target (Nose Target)

This method builds on the post-it note targeting skill we introduced on Day 7 with “Kiss.” 

 

  1. Set Up: Place a post-it note on a door at your dog’s nose level.
  2. Reinforce Targeting: Encourage your dog to touch the post-it note with their nose. Mark and reward each successful touch.
  3. Add Duration: Gradually encourage a firmer push by marking and rewarding when your dog applies pressure to the door.
  4. Incorporate the Door Movement: Once your dog is confidently touching the post-it, move the door slightly ajar. Mark and reward when their nose touch closes the door even a little. (Note: we started with the door open for Grizz. If your dog is sensitive to motion, beginning with the door closed is a smart idea)
  5. Increase Criteria: Gradually open the door wider so your dog has to push harder to close it completely.
  6. Add the Cue: Introduce your verbal cue (e.g., “Close it”) right before your dog touches the post-it.
  7. Fade out the Target: Go ahead and get rid of that post-it.

Pro Tip: If your dog is hesitant, make it fun by starting with a lighter door or a cupboard and work up to heavier doors.

 

Method 2: Using the “Shake” Cue for a Paw Push

Grizz, one of our canine helpers, decided a paw push was his style, so here’s how to teach it using the “Shake” behavior from Day 10. 

 

  1. Start with a Shake: Have your dog facing the door and use their “Shake” cue to get them to lift their paw.
  2. Position Your Hand Near the Door: Begin by placing your hand against the door and encouraging your dog to “Shake” so their paw touches your hand. Mark and reward.
  3. Transition to the Door: Replace your hand with the door. Use the same “Shake” cue, marking and rewarding when their paw touches the door.
  4. Add Pressure: Encourage your dog to apply more pressure with their paw. Mark and reward when they push the door so it moves.
  5. Work on Closing the Door: Start with the door slightly ajar and gradually increase the opening so your dog learns to push it closed completely.
  6. Add the Cue: Introduce your verbal cue (e.g., “Close it”) before your dog lifts their paw.

 

 

 

 

Optional Method: Using a Target Stick

If you have a target stick, you can use it to guide your dog to either nose or paw target the door. Teach your dog to follow the target stick to the door, then fade the stick as they learn to push it themselves.

 

Practice Tips

  • Start with lightweight doors or cabinets and work up to heavier doors.
  • Make it a fun challenge by trying different types of doors, like cupboards, fridge doors, or drawers!