Updated
Dog trick guide
Teach Your Dog Close the Door
A satisfying target trick where your dog learns to nudge cabinets, doors, or drawers closed.
Keep it light, keep it short, and end before your dog wishes the game was over.
Close the Door should feel like a small shared joke between you and your dog. Keep the mood light, reward the little tries, and stop before anyone gets frustrated.
The goal is not a perfect trick in one session. It is helping your dog understand the game and want to play it again tomorrow.
Great for
- Dogs who already enjoy training short sessions.
- Patient dogs who can handle little steps.
- People who like polishing a trick over several days.
Wait a bit if
- Your dog is too tired, worried, or wound up to enjoy learning.
- The game stops feeling playful and starts feeling like pressure.
Build crate comfort
Get a little focus
Start Close the Door in a quiet spot with a few tiny treats ready. Let your dog know this is a game, not a test.
Show the first hint
Use a small hand motion, treat lure, or target to help your dog discover the movement.
Reward the first try
Do not wait for perfect. Mark the little attempt that points in the right direction.
Make the help smaller
Once your dog understands, use less lure and less body motion so the trick becomes clearer.
Add the cue
Say your cue right before your dog does the movement. Keep the word short and use the same one each time.
Practice and stop early
Do a few clean reps, then end while your dog still wants more. That keeps Close the Door happy.
Little things that help
If your dog gets stuck
Make the next try easier. A quick win teaches more than repeating the same confusing setup.
If excitement takes over
Use smaller rewards, slower hands, and fewer reps. You can always make it more exciting later.
If kids are helping
Let an adult manage treats and timing first. Kids can join once the dog knows the game.
Helpful little extras
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Soft training treats
Tiny soft treats keep Close the Door cheerful because you can reward the little tries before your dog starts guessing wildly.
Treat pouch
A pouch keeps rewards ready so you are not fumbling when your dog offers the moment you want in Close the Door.
Training clicker
A clicker helps mark the tiny movement that matters in Close the Door, especially before the trick looks finished.
Non-slip mat
A grippy mat helps your dog feel steady during Close the Door so they can think instead of slipping around.
Questions people ask
How long does close the door take to teach?
Many dogs understand the first version in a few short sessions. A polished close the door may take several days, especially if you are building calm manners into it.
What if my dog does not get it?
Make the next rep easier and reward a smaller try. Dogs learn faster when they feel successful instead of corrected.
How often should we practice?
One or two tiny sessions a day is plenty. Stop while your dog still looks happy to play.
