Is your dog really eager to get out?

zebidee1

Just curious, but I'm wondering if the average dog is keen to get out and bounds out the door the minute the door is opened?

When we open the door, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night (more than any other time), Harley stands with his 2 front paws on the outer step and the 2 back ones inside. He then sniffs the air and looks around him for a good 20 seconds or so before going out. We have to go through this ritual every time (although when the wind is blowing a gale, I have to admit to being tempted to help his furry butt out the door quicker. :rolleyes: )

Anyway, I'm trying to find out if labs (in particular) are careful like this...is it some kind of genetic thing that they would display in the wild to keep them safe, or is this just simply another of Harley's insecurity quirks?

Also, in the morning, he has started wanting into the back garden...having a sniff around then coming in and immediately going to the front door to want out into the front garden. We have stones in our front garden (no grass etc) and I wondered if he likes to poo out there as it's like a big litter tray I suppose. I dont mind him going into either garden but I'm wondering if by allowing him to continue to want out to both gardens one immediately after the other, I'm encouraging some sort of unwise/unwelcome behaviour? (Might be making mountains out of molehills and this is no big deal, I just have a slight background uneasy feeling for some reason?) Maybe this is just another quirk and he feels happier after he's 'patrolled' his surroundings and given them the once over every day? Who knows?

Lynxette

I don't know if it's of any relevence, but I am an avid fan of 'It's Me or the Dog', and on there I once learned that dogs that dash out the door, or in the door before you are displaying dominance over the rest of the 'pack', so prehaps the opposite is in effect here?

WeirdoMagnet

Tilly is reluctant sometimes too - particularly if the weather is inclement! It's not something I worry about - I know why she does it, she likes being cosy! For Harley though, like you say it might be one of his quirks! I'd work on it by being in the garden, with the door open, and calling him out, and rewarding for him coming, gradually upping the ante so he gets quicker & quicker, and less hesitant.

With him going into both gardens, maybe he's just checking his territory? Tilly uses both front and back gardens, depending on how I'm dressed (not a good look standing on your front doorstep in pink pyjamas!), but if you want to discourage it, I'd go out with him in the garden you want to use, use your command word and wait with him until he goes, then praise him.

lab-lover

my lab, mostly, as soon as the door opens shoots out the door, especially if hes going for a walk. even when let out to pee in garden and knows full well he isnt going anywhere, as soon as i turn the key he is literally like scooby-doo, lost count of the times he has stood on my arthritis toe!

I think, like someone has mentioned before, its a dominance thing. he thinks hes leader of the pack. the thing is though, its with some things he does and not all. but we all say hes a weird dog. admittedly iam too soft with him. hes 5 years now and seems to get worse and sometimes quite grumpy. but hes lovable and we love him. he is typically an excitable labrador.

vwcampervan72

We've got a springer Tess and she cant wait to get outside, especially this morning because she wanted to play in the snow

she seems to run around the garden sniffing for a bit then she does her business.

On another note zebidee1 are you my sister as she has a lab named Harley lol

affordmylife

my boy is always eager to get out the front door cos he knows that is walkies.

he has a flap in the back door and always checks the weather before he decides to go out or not.

funny lad.

eyelinerprincess

If we're taking mine out for a walk (black lab), he's eager to get out before us, literally pulling us out the door! Though a bad habit is escaping, out fence isn't in the best of condition atm after the storms on Monday night, and a panel has literally been blown to smithereens, and if I let him out without a lead he's through it and offski. Before this, he used to try and find the smallest hole to squeeze through and take himself on a little adventure.

pboae

My dog isn't in a hurry to go out in the morning, he likes to take his time and have a look around first. I don't think it's a sign of anything much, just dogs having their little quirks.

marybishop

Well I think that all shows how quirky our dogs really are! Sometimes I can hardly get the door open before my choc lab is trying to get through a 6 inch gap and if there's a squirrel in the garden he's been known to head butt the door in his eagerness to get through it. He's also just as keen to get back in. He stands on his back legs with his front paws on the door and peers in through the glass - if I'm not looking when he does it (although I usually hear him as he's not exactly subtle!) it nearly gives me a heart attack!

zebidee1

Thanks for the replies everyone. Well it sounds like even if this is another of Harley's quirks, it's still within the realms of pretty normal anyway, lol.

It's very cold and windy today and he's taken himself off up to my son's room (room is empty, son is at work but he must like the smell or something) and he usually gets locked in because the door swings shut. Will go rescue him in a bit if he hasn't fallen asleep already. :rolleyes:

Btw VWcampervan.....I'm not your sis, lol. (I bet you were on the phone asking her if she had posted? )