Close The Door

This is how to teach your dog to close a door.

You need to have read the previous lesson on targeting so that he knows the touch cue, before being able to teach your dog this trick.

You'll need a lid from a yogurt tub or ice cream container, to teach this trick.

Hold the lid near his nose and tell him to touch it. Click and treat when he does. Practice several times so he touches the lid every time you ask.
Tape the lid to the door at his head height, make sure the door is closed, and tell him to touch the lid. Click and treat when he does. Practice several times.
Now open and shut the door several times to get him use to the sound of the door shutting, so he isn't scared of it.
Now open the door only slightly and say, "touch," and click and treat when he touches it and it closes the door. Repeat this step several times.
Now change the cue from "touch" to "close the door." To do this say "close the door," then say "touch," click when he closes the door, and treat him. Practice this step several times, giving both cues.
Gradually say the cue "touch," quieter and quieter until you aren't saying it at all anymore and the only cue you're giving is "close the door." You've now successfully changed the cue.
Cut the lid down to half the size and stick it back on the door. Give the cue, "close the door," click and treat when he makes contact with the lid and the door closes. Repeat this step several times.
Keep cutting the lid down smaller and smaller until there is no lid left at all and he is closing the door by pushing the door itself when you give the cue to close the door.

Next: Shake