how can I get my cavalier to go into the garden via the dog flap?

Question

I have 4 cavalier bitches, 2 are aged 7, 1 is 4 and the youngest is almost 2. The 3 oldest ones use the dog flap all the time, but the youngest will come indoors through it but has no idea she can go out of it even if the others run through it to chase a cat she just watches them. If I have to leave them for a few hours she has usually had an accident on the floor. If I show her a treat and push it through the flap she will go and get it but has never used it otherwise. I feel that I cannot leave them for more than a couple of hours because of her wetting, but would be easier if she would just use the flap so I wouldnt have to worry.

Answer 1

Instead of opening the door for her, put a soft harness on her, and pull her through from the other side by a leash, each time she goes for an outing..Keep conversation very upbeat, and praise big time each time you pull her through, no matter how hard you had to push/pull..Walk her in the garden until she pees or poops, and take her back indoors the same way, by going around to the other side of the flap and pulling her through..even though she would do it on her own..

Answer 2

I don't have a Cavalier but I do own a Border Collie, she is two now. She was terrified of the doggie flap. I would go out the door and sit in front of the flap and keep talking to her and holding out a treat, when she came out she would be awarded. Did this for an hour everyday until she realized it was not something to fear. At the time she was only 6 months old. Now she is a pain in the butt.

Answer 3

Ok I have 2 Cavaliers 1 is almost 3 and the other is almost 2, one of them is a little sharper than the other....what I would do, when it's time to poddy, go outside and call her and amker her come out through the doggie flap, you must be consistent, also she's your baby, she's probably the most sensitive one of them all, I had some problems with my baby still have accidents here and there but she's doing better, what ever you try be consitent. I hope this works! what color are your? I have a tri and blenheim

Answer 4

If she's going out through the door to get a treat, she knows the door is there and that she can get out through it...

If she's having accidents on the floor when you go out, I don't think it's because she doesn't know the door is there, but something deeper like separation anxiety.

I had a Weimaraner with separation anxiety and he would do things like eat the arm off the sofa and have accidents if left alone for even 20 minutes. I had to resort to leaving him in the dog run outside every time I left the house.

Consult your vet on how you can change her habits.

Answer 5

put a track down move the other dogs for an hour and put treats down so the pup can see out of the flap so he walks through it
if it means not feed ing him fo a few hours do so but try it

Answer 6

Our two Tabby girls when we resued them had never seen a cat flap before,we had to teach them and I'm sure your dog will when youve pushed through a few times ,it does work good luck.

Answer 7

try putting a treat on the other side of it for him, then when he does go through it to get the treat really praise him and give another treat. he wont go through it because it seems a bit alien to him.
its just a case of getting him used to it.
once he is, he'll do the rest himself.
that's what I'd do.
hope this helps.
xx

Answer 8

put her by the door and put her lead on and then go to the other side of the door try to intise her through with treats and give a little tug on her lead and give her plenty of incouragment as she will learn that its a good thing to go through

Answer 9

prop it open for a couple of hours every day, she will get used to going out through it, when she uses it often leave it down

Answer 10

keep on trying
I've got cavalier king charles, lovely dogs