dog flap

[fruitsalad]

we have just fitted one, how can we get our dog to use it he just stand there looking though it, have tried to coax him through with titbits, but he is not having any of it. all ideas appreciated.

[skinnycow]

We've always had a dog flap, they are such godsends! Try holding it open and have someone on the otherside calling him then lots of praise and a treat and keep doing this until he gets the hang of it, then slightly lower the flap and do the same. Gradually lower the flap so he is starting to push it himself. Be patient some dogs do take while but he will get it eventually. My friends dog took weeks then he would go out but not in, but he soon worked it out when he got cold! Luckily my dogs picked it very quickly and I wouldnt be without one now.

[smudge]

Ah, this did make me laugh fruitsalad!

We were doing the same thing with our kitten a couple of weeks ago - offering her tit bits through the cat flap & calling Milly, come on Milly. God knows what the neighbours thought!

She now pops in & out on her own, as though she's been doing it for years!

[blue eyes ;)]

i have a dog flap too,what i did was......i held the flap open and called/pushed him through a couple of times holding ut open so its just like an opening to the dog really.then after a few goes of that i put him outside in the garden and shut the main doori then put a big lump of ham on the floor on the other side of the flap and i called him and i went in to the other room so he obviously thought the only way to me or the ham was the flap,and he pushed his way through(a bit akwardly at first i must say!)after half hour hy presto,he was a pro!! u shud see how quick he wizzes through it now he he!

[wildwood]

Have found blue eyes' method worked excellent for me too. Food and myself at the other side of the flap held half open with a piece of sellotape fixed the problem in one day.