March 16th, 2025

Doorways

I think I’ve mentioned this in a blog somewhere before, but my dogs are pretty good at going out the door.

I don’t mean that they’re good most of the time—like 75% good and the rest of the time running berserk. No, I mean they’re good almost 100% of the time.

Emma and Rylee in the window at home March 13, 2025

They respect the rules—everywhere—almost.

If they don’t, they go on a leash, and we start again.

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, says that when we add cues into our environment, it’s much easier to build habits.

So, my doorway routine looks like this:

I go through the door first and hold it open. Then I call Rylee through. She waits either on the steps or in the driveway. Next come Bella and Emma. Boarding dogs are always last, as is the puppy.

Everyone has to wait for me on the steps until I close the doors and move to the car. Once I’m there, I call them to me, one by one, and load them into their kennels—or just into their spots in the car.

Safe. Sound. And proofed.

Happy Training!

Addi and her dogs