How to Prevent Door Dashing During the Busy Holiday Season

How to Prevent Door Dashing During the Busy Holiday Season: A Guide from Off Leash K9 Training

ByOLK9-Lexington

The holidays bring joyful chaos—packages arriving, guests coming and going, and doors opening constantly. But for many dog owners, this busy season brings a serious safety concern: door dashing.

A dog that bolts out the front door risks traffic, getting lost, or unsafe encounters. The good news? With the right training foundation, you can prevent door dashing entirely.

At Off Leash K9 Training, we specialize in rock-solid obedience and recall—skills that can literally save your dog’s life, especially this time of year.

🐕Why Dogs Door Dash During the Holidays

Door dashing usually stems from a mix of:
  • Excitement about visitors
  • Curiosity about deliveries
  • Anxiety or overstimulation
  • Lack of impulse control
  • Inconsistent boundaries at the door

The added noise, guests, and holiday commotion can make even a normally well-behaved dog forget their manners.

That’s why this is the perfect season to reinforce obedience.

🧠 The Key Cues That Stop Door Dashing

The following commands—taught and reinforced correctly—are your biggest tools for preventing dangerous escapes.

1️⃣ “Stay” or “Sit-Stay”: The Doorway Lifesaver

A reliable stay is the foundation of a safe household during the holidays.

How to Use It:

Before answering the door, ask your dog to “Sit” and “Stay” several feet back. Reward calmness.

Practice with:

  • Family members ringing the doorbell
  • You opening the door slowly
  • Increasing distraction levels over time
A dog who understands that the doorway is a staying zone becomes far less tempted to bolt.

2️⃣“Place”: A Calm Anchor When Guests Arrive

“Place” teaches your dog to go to a specific bed/mat and remain there until released.

Why It Works:
  • Removes your dog from the high-excitement doorway
  • Gives guests space
  • Reduces anxiety-driven rushing
  • Creates predictable structure, even in holiday chaos
Many OLK9 clients say “Place” becomes their holiday season lifesaver.

3️⃣ “Come”: Your Emergency Recall

Even with training, accidents happen. Your dog might slip past your legs or dash out during a delivery.

A rock-solid recall can stop a crisis instantly.

Practice With Realistic Holiday Scenarios:
  • Someone knocking while your dog is off leash
  • Opening the door with your dog mildly excited
  • Practicing outside with distractions (snow, kids playing, decorations, etc.)
At Off Leash K9 Training, we build recall that works even under high distraction—the kind you’ll definitely see during the holidays.

💡 Additional Tips for Preventing Door Dashing


✔️ Create a “Two-Door Rule”
Use baby gates or an entryway barrier so your dog must pass through two layers before accessing the front door.
✔️ Use Leash Control During Gatherings
If your dog is still learning, clip a leash on them during high-traffic times.
✔️ Block Their View of the Door
Visual triggers (like people walking up) increase excitement. Curtains or frosted film can reduce the urge to dash.
✔️ Reward Calm Behavior
Any time your dog approaches the door calmly, reinforce it. You’re teaching them that calmness pays, not excitement.

🎁 The Holiday Season Is the Perfect Time to Train

Door dashing is dangerous, but completely preventable. With consistent practice and the right obedience foundation, your dog can learn to:
  • Stay calm
  • Hold position
  • Ignore distractions
  • Come immediately when called

And best of all—you’ll enjoy your holidays without worrying about accidents or escapes.

If you want help building reliable door manners and a safe, dependable recall, Off Leash K9 Training can help.

🐾 Ready to Prevent Door Dashing for Good?

Contact Off Leash K9 Training Lexington to strengthen your dog’s obedience this season.

🎄 A well-trained dog makes the holidays happier, safer, and a lot less stressful.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *