Teaching your puppy a ‘stay’ at the front door is a really valuable skill to help prevent them from rushing out when the door is opened. Start by building a solid stay in a quieter area first, working up to being able to take at least five steps away in different directions while your puppy remains still. Once this is reliable, begin practising at the front door by adding the distraction gradually - start by slightly opening the door, then closing it again, always returning to your puppy to reward them for staying in position. Progress slowly by opening the door a little more each time, making sure your puppy stays calm and still before increasing the challenge. It’s a good idea to have your puppy on a lead during this training, so if they do find it too difficult and move towards the open door, you have that extra layer of safety. This step-by-step approach helps your puppy learn that staying put, even when the door is open, is what earns the reward.
