- High Class Pets
- Posts
- How To Stop Your Dog From Darting Out the Door
How To Stop Your Dog From Darting Out the Door
How Old Is 1 in Dog Years? Vet-Approved Guide
Nicholas Shelton
October 03, 2024
Welcome pet pals, to another edition of High Class Pets – where sophistication meets paw-some adventures! 🐾
Get ready for a whisker-twisting, tail-wagging rendezvous as we uncover exclusive tips, heart-melting tales, and the epitome of pet luxury. Let's dive into a world where every bark and meow exudes elegance and charm. Welcome to the haute couture of pet parenthood! 🎩🐾
Here is the Scoop for Today
How To Stop Your Dog From Darting Out the Door
10 Most Intelligent Cat Breeds
How Old Is 1 in Dog Years? Vet-Approved Guide
You adore your dog, and you believe your dog adores you back. However, there’s one behavior that raises doubts: their eagerness to dash out the door whenever it opens. What drives this urge to escape, and how can you curb their door-dashing instincts?
To explore this common issue, we consulted Alexandra Bassett, a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and the owner of Dog Savvy, a virtual training company based in Los Angeles. She explained the phenomenon known as "door darting."
How to Stop Your Dog from Darting Out the Door
Door darting describes a dog’s tendency to bolt out of an open door. The good news? This behavior doesn’t mean your dog wants to escape from you. According to Bassett, it’s a typical issue that can be resolved through training methods aimed at teaching dogs impulse control.
“Door darting isn't a sign of serious behavioral problems,” Bassett explains. “It simply indicates that your dog hasn’t learned self-control around doorways.”
To remedy this behavior, your adventurous pup needs to learn that they require permission to pass through any entryway. Here are steps you can take in short, engaging training sessions—aim for about 10 minutes, or even less for puppies with shorter attention spans.
Create Barriers Threshold training can take time, so while you’re working on it, consider using barriers like dog gates to keep your pet safe. These tools “prevent dogs from rushing through open doors and help maintain safety during training,” Bassett notes.
Practice Basic Obedience Before tackling door darting, ensure your dog knows fundamental commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These commands establish a foundation for good behavior. Reward your dog with treats and praise when they successfully follow these commands.
Test Their Self-Control Once your dog can sit on command, you can test their self-control. With your dog in a sit position, gently touch the doorknob of a door they typically rush through. If they remain seated, reward them with praise and a treat. If they get up, reset them and try again.
Repeat this process until your dog can comfortably stay seated while you touch the doorknob.
These steps can help train your dog to wait for permission before heading out, fostering better behavior and safety for both of you.
Cats are generally regarded as highly intelligent pets, especially when compared to other animals. Smart cats are often easy to spot; they can be trained, interact well with other pets, and adapt seamlessly to new environments.
To keep intelligent cats engaged and prevent boredom, consider environmental enrichment activities like food puzzles. Without mental stimulation, smart cats may develop behavioral issues.
Intelligent cats typically share common traits: they are energetic, curious, and often a bit mischievous. Their playfulness and inquisitiveness drive them to enjoy challenges, learn tricks, and engage in interactive games. They also tend to understand household routines, such as when to expect you home and mealtimes.
If you’re in search of a clever feline companion, here are 10 of the smartest cat breeds.
1. Abyssinian The Abyssinian is an athletic and affectionate breed known for its sleek appearance. These cats are highly observant and enjoy climbing to high perches to survey their surroundings. They are quick learners and can excel in agility courses, though they are more independent than cuddly.
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Physical Traits: Tall, pointed ears; wedge-shaped head; slender, muscular body
2. Balinese Balinese cats are the long-haired counterparts of Siamese cats and are known for their playful and inquisitive nature. They enjoy interacting with their humans and are quite vocal about their opinions. This breed thrives on mental challenges and can learn tricks like fetching and walking on a leash.
Height: 6 to 7 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Physical Traits: Wedge-shaped head; slender body; striking blue eyes
3. Bengal Famous for their stunning coat that mimics a leopard or jaguar, Bengals are a mix of domestic cats and Asian leopard cats. They are energetic, athletic, and love to play. Bengals require ample space for exercise and mental stimulation, often showcasing remarkable dexterity and problem-solving skills.
Height: 10 to 16 inches
Weight: 8 to 15 pounds
Physical Traits: Sleek, muscular body; unique spotted or striped coat
4. Burmese Friendly and energetic, Burmese cats thrive on social interaction and are eager to engage with their families. They are clever and trainable, capable of learning commands and even fetching toys. This breed enjoys companionship, making it ideal to have multiple pets at home to prevent loneliness.
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Physical Traits: Round golden eyes; compact, muscular body
These smart breeds can bring both joy and challenge to your home, providing plenty of opportunities for interaction and training.
Understanding how to convert dog years to human years can be a bit confusing, as the traditional formula of multiplying a dog's age by seven doesn't accurately reflect their aging process. In reality, dogs age at different rates depending on their breed and size.
Generally, the first year of a dog's life is equivalent to about 15 human years, while the second year adds another nine years, making a 2-year-old dog roughly 24 in human years. After that, each additional year varies by breed size: small dogs tend to age about five years per year, while larger breeds may age seven or more years per year.
To give a clearer perspective, here’s a breakdown of age equivalents for different sizes of dogs:
Small breeds (under 20 pounds): After the first two years, they age about four years for each additional year.
Medium breeds (20 to 50 pounds): After two years, they age roughly five years for each additional year.
Large breeds (over 50 pounds): Following the first two years, they age about six to seven years for each additional year.
This means that a 10-year-old small dog might be around 56 in human years, while a large dog of the same age could be about 66. Understanding this age equivalency can help you provide better care for your furry friend as they age.
Our mission is to provide pet owners with a one-stop-shop for high-quality, affordable, and diverse pet supplies, ensuring the well-being and happiness of their beloved furry companions.
Submit Pictures of Your Dog or Cat to [email protected], so we can share it with our audience!
If you love staying updated on all things pet-related, don’t keep our newsletter to yourself—share it with fellow pet enthusiasts!