Need advice on the doggy door ramp we built
This having been said, let me explain our set up. We have a family room/play room and kitchen, living room and dining room on our 1st floor level. We have kids and have had a dog before, so for both reasons, we seem to have gates around every corner. We have it set up where the dog will have free reign over the kitchen and the playroom, but at night or when too hyper, we can gate off the playroom..which is pretty big anyway. Don't get the wrong idea. We are excited to have our puppy as an active member in our family and our goal is to eventually work it out so that she can be trusted to have free reign over the whole house..minus bedrooms upstairs. But at first, until the kids can be fully trusted with her and she with the kids during the first few puppy nipping months, we thought it would be best to have the ability to control her access. From the playroom window (couldn't really be through a standard door for house layout reasons) we have removed a sash and husband built a piece of plywood with a pet smart door in the middle. On the outside of the house there is a suspended looking dog house..only about 2 feet wide with another doggy door. (we thought the two door access might eliminate cold drafts in the winter) This dog house is off the ground by about 5 feet though, so my husband built a totally safe, to the code- puppy ramp. It spans 12 feet with ballisters on both sides with the right spacing (husband builds houses for a living..he knows what he's doing..totally safe!) This puppy ramp leads into our fully fenced in huge back yard. This is just so you can understand how it is set up. Now my question is this: When my puppy comes home to us, she'll be 8 weeks old. Should I teach her right from the start to use the ramp and puppy door to go outside or wait until she is older. It is quite elaborate for a pup and I don't want to scare her. (Although it doesn't rock or shimmie or anything.. It could support my whole family at once) But still, will this intimidate her and freighten her or is it good to teach her to push her little head up agains the flap to open the door, etc.? Any advice would be awesome...sorry for the novel! |
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| Most dogs tend to be scared of doggie doors at first, from my experience, but I don't think that should stop you from trying to teach your dog now how to go through the doors. It may take awhile.... it may not. My puppy (different breed) LOVED to learn and do new things. |
| thanks for that thought. Is that your child in the pic with your dog? Is the dog good with the dog? I just posted question about that too. |
| When I adopted my OES Violet she was 9 mths old and had no problem learning to use the doggy door. China my Aussie Shepherd was 8 weeks old when we brought her home and she learned the doggy door right off. I showed her how to go in and out and she learned quickly. Of course Violet was there to teach her also. I would start her on the doggy door right away. Puppies are smart and learn very quickly. Just stay on your toes to get her pointed in the right direction when it is time. I would also suggest that you crate train her as soon as she gets home. It keeps her out of trouble at night while the family sleeps and while you are away during the day. We have a great thread about crate training. My sister also taught her children to not bother the dog when he went in the crate, so when Bo wanted to be left a lone, he would go in the crate on his own and the kids learned to respect his need. I highly recommend crate training. China was crate trained, and it worked out great for her. She is now three years old and hasn't been in a crate for a number of years. Good luck with your new pup. |
My puppy is 3 months --she was 8 weeks when she arrived and everyday she is willing to learn new things!! 
There are a lot of new things she is wary about, but after positive introduction, she is willing to jump in with all four paws. We have a tuffet in our family room that all the dogs lay on after they go outside (esp.) in rain, snow to "dry off" ---It took about 2 weeks for her to learn "TUFFET"--but this morning, after going out in the rain, as she was entering the house, I said, "Heart, tuffet" and she ran over and plopped down.GOOD GIRL!!! With that in mind, and realizing every puppy is different, I'm sure you will not have a problem. Good Luck--and post pics when your "baby" arrives. This site is great for new "mommies"--so much helpful advice!!! |
| If it were me, I start right away with the method that you want the dog to use in housetraining. If it's the door, use the door-- although expect to be crawling through yourself a lot at first if you don't have another dog to help teach her!
I'd start with just pulling the flap up and letting her get use to going in and out of the hole. Then, once she's mastered that, and is a little stronger in a few weeks, drop the flap and start training her with it down. I think little by little is a good way to train with it rather than trying to teach her the whole shebang at once. remember to train from both sides, too. When we dogsit, the dogs always figure out "out" but coming in seems to be difficult, lol! |
| I wouldn't be restricting her from the bedrooms at night. You will have a much happier puppy and better nights sleeping, if she sleeps with you.
For the house-training you need to be with her when she goes, in order to give her a treat when she does it where you want her to go. So make sure you both can get there...and quickly! |
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