In this video: Demonstration of both beginner and advanced dogs. Lincoln, a 9 month Doberman pinscher, is just starting to learn. Bryssa and Peasie (boxer and Boston terrier) are advanced. Lincoln needs feedback. Bryssa and Peasie wait for their “okay!”, even when Lincoln is released first.

Teaching hard boundary at your vehicle

Your dog does not exit the vehicle until you say a release word, like “okay!”

Your dog can be anywhere inside the vehicle or on the edge of the bumper/door frame/body frame. 

Recommended Equipment:  

• Collar
• Leash or long line 

So you can be comfortable not blocking your dog from getting out and letting them truly decide what to do. The leash or long line makes it safe to let them get out. 

Instructions:

1. When your dog is inside the vehicle, open the door or hatch
Be ready to push, pull or lift your dog back into the vehicle if they get out before being given the “okay!”

2. Once the door or hatch is open, do not hold your dog back or prevent them from choosing what to do.
Do not stand in front of them to block them or hold up a hand to hint what they should do.
Even if you know for certain they will get out. Let them decide.

3. If your dog gets out before the “okay!”, push or pull or lift them back into the vehicle.
Do not say anything when you get them back in. Just physically get them in.

4. Once your dog is back inside the vehicle, let them try again. Give them the open choice whether to get out or not, without holding them back or blocking them with your body or hand.

5. If they get out before the “okay!”, push or pull or lift them back into the vehicle.
Do not say anything when you get them back in. Just physically get them in.

6. Repeat the above steps until your dog voluntarily chooses to remain inside the vehicle when the door or hatch is open.

7. When they are holding the hard boundary at the vehicle, say “okay!” to release and get them out of the vehicle.
NOTE: If your dog does not move when you say “okay!”, do not say anything else. Simply get your dog moving physically with a touch or a push or a pull. 

Multiple dogs:

When teaching multiple dogs, you can teach them to listen for 2 options:

An “everyone goes” release:
A phrase such as “okay girls!” that means both dogs are released at the same time. When you say this release phrase, you make sure both dogs get out of the vehicle.

A “one at time” release:
Use each dog’s name to release them separately, such as “okay Bryssa!” or “okay Peasie!”. If the dog who was not release gets out too, place them back into the vehicle to wait for their turn.

NOTE: this is the same for all hard boundaries – multiple dogs can learn both “all go” and “just one goes”.