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p31woman -> RE: can't keep the puppy in the house (7/24/2008 10:12:46 PM)
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IMO, at 12 weeks he should be on a leash anytime he's not in a safe, fenced-in area. That aside, you can start training him to wait at doorways. That helps establish his place in the pecking order (alpha dogs barge ahead) AND will keep him from dashing out open doors.
He'll need to know the "sit" command well first. Then, practicing a few times every day in doorways inside the house, tell him to sit as you approach a closed door. Then tell him "wait," and open the door. You proceed through the door, but he should remain sitting and waiting. (If he gets up, just come back, close the door and start over.) Once you're through the door, give him permission to follow you through the door-- I say "free," but you could say "o.k." (Not "come," as that should be separate command.) He should only get a treat/praise if he stayed seated and waited to move until you gave the "free" command. Once he's mastered waiting at interior doors, you can then practice with the front door.
He's pretty young yet, so it may take several months until it's a habit for him, and even then, the occasional tutoring session may be necessary. [;)] Be sure the kids know the commands and can execute the training, too.
We lost the miniature schnauzer I had as a teenager because she always dashed out doors and I once left the back door ajar. [:(] That's why I was extra diligent to train my current dog this way.
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