the Angie’s List Blue House Blog

With the push of his nose or the slap of his paw, my 8-month-old Rottweiler Moto can open the sliding glass door. He thinks it’s a new trick; I think he’s a bad boy. There are evenings when he lets himself out (very helpful) but lets mosquitoes in. If only he learned to shut the door behind him, I’d be thrilled with his self-sufficiency.

He often opens the door just to get some fresh air. He doesn’t want to go out; he just enjoys peeking his head in and out and in and out — looking for squirrels, I guess. He’s even kind enough that he’ll let his 9-year-old brother Bud inside when they’re done playing outside.

Bud is twice Moto’s size, but he’s never opened the sliding glass door himself. I like to think Bud’s just a good boy who knows he’ll get in trouble.

I now lock us all outside or inside just so Moto can’t play  the “open the door” game. Every evening I look him in the eyes and say, “I’m not playing the game.” If he could laugh in my face, he would.

We thought about getting a doggie door for our kitchen, but I’m sure Moto would play the in and out game nonstop. Plus, our dogs are so large, a robber could squeeze through the doggie door.

Moto doesn’t go back to dog training school until winter, so it’s up to me to train him not to touch the door. Nothing seems to work, so if you have suggestions, please pass them along. And, if you’re a highly rated dog trainer willing to work for free in my home, Moto will gladly open the door for you.