Nelson is a four-year-old Miniature Schnauzer that loves to go outside.
Except that once he is outside, he wants to come in.
He never seems to be happy with the side of the door he is on. He whines. He dances. He scratches the door. He yips. His whiskered face has the quizzical, anxious look of a dog with unmet needs.
There ARE many times when Nelson has to go out to do his business. But some of the time, Nelson’s owners swear he dema
nds to go out because he is just plain bored. Yet his owners are afraid to not respond to his door-opening requests. After all, he might really need to go potty. And if they don’t let him in right away, his frantic clawing will tear the screen door.
Here is what Nelson is thinking, depending on the side of the door he is on:
LET ME OUT!
I just might have to go potty. Don’t make me test this theory.
I hear/see/sense a yard invasion. Hurry up, so I can bark before it goes away on its own.
It’s so amusing to make you get up from your newspaper and Mountain Dew. Yeah, yeah. You just sat down. I hear you.
I must stand on the deck and gaze at my domain periodically. It’s so reassuring.
LET ME IN!
I’m sure I must be missing some food/playtime/attention while I’m outside.
Its hotter/colder/wetter out here than I thought.
I misjudged my bladder. I don’t really need to go. Yet.
That squirrel/bird/jogger/UPS driver is gone. My work is done.
So every evening after dinner, Nelson’s family takes turns manning the door, trapped in the seemingly endless task of holding the door open for the dog.
Don’t let your dog make you feel like all you need is uniform, an umbrella and a whistle to hail a cab.
Here are a few solutions to this problem:
Install a doggie door, train your dog to use it, sit back and let him come and go to his heart’s desire, or…
Teach your dog that the door only opens if he sits and is quiet. Right now, the door opens when he is acting his worst. Show him that the reward for good behavior is getting to go out or to come in, or…
Determine if your dog is going out for a reason and act accordingly. If the dog went out a short time ago, and hasn’t had anything to eat or drink recently, he probably doesn’t need to go. Try distracting him with a toy or have him follow you into another room, or…
Cover the glass door. Sometimes being able to gaze out (or in) makes a dog wistful for that other place – so near, yet so far. Draw the drapes or close the blinds to keep your dog from seeing what he is missing, or…
Keep your dog busy with exercise, puzzle toys, and opportunities to socialize so he won’t make your sliding glass door a revolving one.
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