#223 Control the threshold, control the chaos

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A split-second lunge at the car door can turn a normal outing into a heart-stopping moment. We break down a simple, repeatable wait routine that replaces door dashes with calm, reliable behavior—so you get safety, control, and peace of mind every time you park. 

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:02):
You know, most people teach the wait cue at the
door.
And that's a great start.
But one of my favorite places touse the wait cue is in my car.
When I open my car door, I don'twant my dog just leaping out
into traffic or running toward adistraction.

(00:26):
So I teach a wait cue forgetting out of the car just like
I would at the front door.
And it's very easy to train.
Just have your dog in the car,cue weight, and then crack the
door just an inch or two.
If they start to move toward thedoor, gently push the door

(00:48):
closed again.
You don't even have to latch it.
That way it's quick and easy toreopen once your dog backs off.
The point isn't to slam orsurprise them with the door,
it's just to make it clear thatmovement toward the door closes
the door.
But stillness keeps it open.

(01:11):
And most of the time your dogwill be on leash when you
practice this.
So you'll want to open the doorjust wide enough to get that
leash handle in your hand.
But here's the key getting theleash in your hand does not mean
you immediately release yourdog.
You wait, give it a few seconds.

(01:32):
Make sure they're calm and notpushing toward the door.
When they've settled, then yougive your verbal release cue,
something like okay or free.
Once your dog has masteredwaiting when the door is just
cracked open, gradually open itwider with each session, three
inches, then five inches, thenten inches, then when the door

(01:57):
is completely open, then whenyou step back.
The goal is for your dog to holdthat weight, even if the door is
open and you're just standingthere.
Teach them that an open door isnot an invitation to exit.
Your verbal release word is.
And then you can flip thescenario.

(02:19):
Have your dog wait beforegetting into the car.
I don't want my dog diving inbefore I'm ready.
So I'll open the door, cue wait,get everything settled, and then
release him to jump in.
And you know why this is sovaluable?
Because you might have items inthe seat that you need to move,

(02:40):
or maybe the seat cover gotdisplaced.
Or maybe you're just grabbingwaste bags and you don't want
your dog to jump in at all.
A solid weight cue keeps yourdog safe and gives you control,
and it sets the tone that youdecide if and when it's time to
jump in.

(03:00):
So if you've ever had your dogbolt before you clip the leash
or rush out in a parking lot,you know how stressful that can
be.
So this version of weight turnsall of that chaos into calm,
predictable behavior.
And honestly, it's one of thesimplest safety skills that you

(03:20):
can teach.