If you're tired of getting up in the middle of the night when your dog has eaten something weird and has to go to the bathroom you may have decided to get a doggy door. Once you teach your dog to use the doggie door, you'll never have to get up to open the door again. Not only will you and your dog enjoy learning the process, but you will reap the benefits of using the doggie door for the life of your dog. Make this training a game and your dog will catch on quickly.
Instructions
Pull the flap of your doggie door all the way up vertically and tape it flat to the wall or door. This will leave the opening free and clear and look like a big hole in the door to your dog. The objective is to leave the doggy door open so he can come and go at will.
Put your dog inside and go into the backyard. Call your dog. If he doesn't figure out to go through the doggie door, hold your hand, holding a treat, through the doggy door opening while calling his name. Once he sees you outside the hole, he should come trotting out through the hole. Give the dog a treat and praise him.
Repeat Step two until your dog gets used to coming right out the hole confidently. Then put your dog outside and go inside and call the dog in, through the doggie door. Repeat this process until the dog is comfortable going in and out.
Remove the tape and lower the flap back into place over the doggie door. Go back outside and call your dog again. You may have to push the doggie door flap a few times to show the dog that it moves. When the dog comes out, give him a treat and praise him lavishly.