Looking for tips on how to stop your dog from opening doors, or curious if dogs can open doors of all types? It’s surprising and also concerning when you’ve first discovered that your dog opens doors, regardless of whether it’s by the knob or a lever.

Today, we’ll cover the basics of why dogs learn to open doors and what you can do to prevent it, including how to handle situations where your dog opens a door only to leave the room. For those dealing with lever doors, we’ve got DIY solutions to dog-proof them and answers to whether dogs can turn door knobs. Keep reading!

How to Stop Dog From Opening Doors

Stopping a dog from opening doors is important for ensuring their safety and maintaining control over their movements within and outside the home. Some dogs learn to open doors as a result of curiosity, a desire for exploration, or seeking attention.

Dog Opens Doors: What’s Happening?

When a dog opens doors, it’s often a sign of intelligence and problem-solving skills. However, this behavior usually also indicates that your dog is seeking something beyond the door, such as companionship, stimulation, or even just the excitement of exploring a new space.

Why Does My Dog Open My Door Then Leave?

Your dog opens your door and then leaves possibly because the action itself is rewarding. This behavior can be driven by curiosity about what’s on the other side of the door or a learned response if they’ve previously found something interesting or rewarding after opening the door. Some dogs also may feel anxious about where you are, and need to check to ensure you’re safe.

How to Keep Dog From Opening Doors

• Install child-proof door knob covers or lever locks that make it difficult for your dog to grip and turn the knob or lever.
• Use a door stopper or wedge to prevent the door from being pushed open from the inside.
• Train “leave it” to keep them away from doors and other objects on command. Start with a treat in your hand and let your dog sniff it, then close your hand around the treat. Say ‘leave it.’ Wait until your dog stops sniffing and nibbling at your hand. As soon as they back away, praise them and give them the treat. Practice regularly.
• Ensure your dog has plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation to reduce their desire to explore beyond the door.

By understanding why your dog opens doors and using a combination of preventive measures and training, you can effectively stop this behavior. It’s important to remember, however, that the underlying behavioral issues (curiosity, anxiety, overprotectiveness, etc.) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present.

And until you address those, any positive changes you see will only be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes last?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like your dog opening doors and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about why your dog keeps opening doors ever again!

Can Dogs Open Doors of All Types?

Dogs have a remarkable ability to learn and adapt, which can include learning how to open doors. While not all dogs will demonstrate this behavior, those that do can often figure out how to open various types of doors, depending on the door’s design and the dog’s size, strength, and determination. Addressing this behavior requires specific strategies tailored to the type of door and the dog’s method of opening it.

How to Stop Dog From Opening Lever Door

Lever-style door handles can be easier for dogs to open by pushing down on the lever with their nose or paw. To prevent this:

• Install child-proof locks or safety covers designed for lever handles.
• Consider replacing lever handles with round doorknobs that are more difficult for dogs to manipulate.
• Place double-sided tape on the levers or wrap them in aluminum foil until your dog has stopped trying to open the door. You may then see your dog scratch at the door, depending on the underlying issue.
• Train the “leave it” command, which teaches your dog to get away from door handles and other objects instantly. Learn it now in the first section.

DIY Dog Proof Lever Door Handles

For a DIY solution to dog-proof lever door handles:

• Create a cover using fabric or a sock that fits snugly over the handle, making it difficult for your dog to grip.
• Attach a small bungee cord or child-proof lock that requires manual dexterity to release, beyond a dog’s capability.
• Place double-sided tape around the handle, as dogs may find the sticky texture unpleasant and avoid touching it.
• If your lever door handles only open when pushed downward, you can reverse the movement (so that they only open when pushed up). This video demonstrates:

Can Dogs Open Door Knobs?

While opening round doorknobs is more challenging for dogs, some particularly intelligent or determined dogs may still manage to do so, especially if the knob is loose or if the dog can jump and use its weight to turn the knob. To prevent this:

• Ensure doorknobs are securely tightened and cannot be easily turned by a dog’s weight or motion.
• Use knob covers that require squeezing and turning, which are difficult for dogs to operate.
• Place a small gate or barrier in front of doors to physically prevent the dog from reaching the doorknob.

While dogs can learn to open various types of doors, including those with lever handles or doorknobs, implementing specific preventive measures and training can help keep them safely contained. Learn more that will help in the first section.

Ensuring your dog has enough physical and mental stimulation can also reduce their desire to explore beyond doors, helping to maintain both their safety and the integrity of your home’s boundaries.

You’re probably ready to get started now that you have all of your questions about your dog opening doors answered, so I’ll let you get going on things. Good luck, and thanks for checking out our article “How to Stop Dog From Opening Doors (+DIY Solution!)”.