We've got a "saloon" type dog door, vertical panes that swivel to let our 6-year-old lab in and out. He's never had a problem with this door before but now all of a sudden, he'll go out the door but refuses to come back in. He'll nose at it from outside, and he'll actually come through once in a while, but generally he just sits at the adjacent people door and whines until someone lets him in. This is especially annoying in the middle of the night. Anyone have any ideas?
No idea why, but is it possible that he hurt/scared himself, caught his claw or something? I would say though, that there's no real reason for him to be going out at night unsupervised and would recommend locking it at night. I'd also try being a little bit tough with him. If he's whining at the 'people door' and someone's letting him in, then he'll whine at the 'people door' to be let in. Call him in through his door and place his food bowl down and wait him out.
Thanks. Ironically, while I was waiting for replies I started poking around this site and found that I posted the exact same query when he was 3. I don't even remember this. Apparently we got him past it by rewarding his using the dog door again as you suggested. I don't think he's injured -- that was my first thought too -- since he runs and jumps perfectly normally, and has no hesitation going out. I think maybe something spooked him at some point and he's decided that he can't come inside that way anymore. Next time I think I'll show him some chicken, put it just inside his dog door, and wait him out . Thanks much!
