Door Ajar

So since my nephew was able to train their Corgi to close a door in only 2 days, I had to give it a try with River. 20 minutes and quite a few BilJac liver treats later, he has it!

Nephew used a clicker and a post-it note as a target and started with his dog targeting the post-it with his nose and then moving it to the door, then holding it there longer and eventually pushing it. Smart dog figured out that his paw works better and usually chooses that method.

River already knew "touch" with nose and "paw" touch with paw, so I started with "touch" on the basement door - which swings easily and closes with a satisfying click. We moved pretty quickly to using a paw - much easier to push the door. I still use a hand signal of pointing at the door to indicate "paw the door" but am also using verbal "close the door" with the goal of telling him to "go close the door," which might be handy to keep the puppy from the basement steps.

He can do cabinet doors, too although I am limiting this due to concerns about scratch marks. He can do interior doors, but so far our exterior doors are too heavy and don't swing as easily - maybe he could do a "double high five" and jump against those stubborn ones.

Still not quite caught up to the dog in the Youtube video who picked up laundry, turned on the coffeemaker, retrieved both the paper and the remote, etc ... nephew's goal- his dog to bring him a soda from the fridge. Heck with that, I want him to do laundry.