#223 Control the threshold, control the chaos

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. 

Chapters

• 0:02 Why Wait Matters Beyond Doors
• 0:17 Safety At The Car Door
• 0:36 Step‑By‑Step Door Cracking Drill
• 1:21 Release Cues And Wider Opens
• 2:16 Waiting To Get Into The Car
• 2:48 Calm Over Chaos: Final Takeaway

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:02

You know, most people teach the wait cue at the door. And that's a great start. But one of my favorite places to use the wait cue is in my car. When I open my car door, I don't want my dog just leaping out into traffic or running toward a distraction. So I teach a wait cue for getting 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 the door, gently push the door closed again. You don't even have to latch it. That way it's quick and easy to reopen once your dog backs off. The point isn't to slam or surprise them with the door, it's just to make it clear that movement toward the door closes the door. But stillness keeps it open. And most of the time your dog will be on leash when you practice this. So you'll want to open the door just wide enough to get that leash handle in your hand. But here's the key getting the leash in your hand does not mean you immediately release your dog. You wait, give it a few seconds. Make sure they're calm and not pushing toward the door. When they've settled, then you give your verbal release cue, something like okay or free. Once your dog has mastered waiting when the door is just cracked open, gradually open it wider with each session, three inches, then five inches, then ten inches, then when the door is completely open, then when you step back. The goal is for your dog to hold that weight, even if the door is open and you're just standing there. Teach them that an open door is not an invitation to exit. Your verbal release word is. And then you can flip the scenario. Have your dog wait before getting into the car. I don't want my dog diving in before 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 so valuable? Because you might have items in the seat that you need to move, or maybe the seat cover got displaced. Or maybe you're just grabbing waste bags and you don't want your dog to jump in at all. A solid weight cue keeps your dog safe and gives you control, and it sets the tone that you decide if and when it's time to jump in. So if you've ever had your dog bolt before you clip the leash or rush out in a parking lot, you know how stressful that can be. So this version of weight turns all of that chaos into calm, predictable behavior. And honestly, it's one of the simplest safety skills that you can teach.