doggie door training

[BULLDOG]

I am having a problem getting my english/olde english bulldog mix to use a doggie door. I just put one in. First let me explain, he has fear aggression, and is afraid of everything. I got him to go thru the door with the panels up, but he is horrified of the flaps. He got thru the door and i let the panels rub his back as he went thru. He was physically shaking. How can I get him used to the door without freaking him out, or will he learn it wont hurt him on his own time. I also have a Saluki, she goes in and out all the time. The salukie is 1 1/2 and he is 2 1/2. Help!

[Maxy24]

hi and welcome to Chazhound! You may want to post this in the training section where it will get more attention.

If I were you i would continue to get him to go through with the flap up. Give him a treat every time he goes through. make him go back and forth until ha bounds right trough with the flap up, no fear at all. Make sure he gets a small treat every time he walks through. Once he is fine, completely fine with the flap up go make a hot dog, slice it up and let it cool off. You will use those for treats with the down flap so He know going through the door when the flap is down is even better than going when it is up.

Stick your hand through from your side of the door to his side through the flap, have the treat in that hand. Let him eat it without trying to make him go through. poke you hand trough with another piece of th hot dog and slowly pull it through the flap and see if he follows, if he does then give the treat and lots of praise.

If he does not go through then do what you were with lifting it up and once his head is through putting the flap back down on his back once he does this a few times successfully add a command like "door". Do this until he is comfortable. Once he does this without fear a few times try with the flap down again. Use the hot dog piece to entice him through back and forth. If you get him through a few times with the command and treat try using the command without the treat. if he goes through then give the treat. if not then simply go back to using the treat until h is ready.

If at any point he starts getting scared and refuses to go through then go back a step and redo those a few times then go back up to were you were when he got scared.

The most important thing i can tell you is go slow. Do NOT rush a fear aggressive dog or his aggression may come out. NEVER punish him for doing something wrong and if you are teaching him something and feel frustrated then stop and try again later, you do not want to yell since it will most likely freak him out very badly. So take things slow and wait until he is ready to move ahead. Good luck!

[BULLDOG]

thanks for your input. I realized that i had put my request in the wrong section and put it in the training section too. I have been going slowly with him. I set outside the door and when he goes thru give him big hugs and really praise him. He has severe food allergies and he is overweight, so I dont know about the hot dog...Think I will stick to his peanut butter...I will remember to go slow, I hope he will watch our other dog, A Saluki, and he will realize its ok...again thanks

[Denaluvscorgis]

Hi...welcome to Chaz!!! Maxy gave you some great advice...it's just going to take lot's of time and patience. Good luck!!:)

[Kase]

Hi and welcome to Chaz :).