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Sydney paws pet doors background image French Doors with Dog Door - Large & Medium Size - Dog Door Installation Sydney

Pet Door Training in Sydney

Pet door training is free with every pet door we install in Sydney. We introduce your dog or cat to the new door on the day, or show you our method so you can keep practising at home.

A pet door is only useful once your pet is comfortable using it, so we don’t install it and walk away. Whether you’ve chosen a glass dog door, a timber dog door, a screen dog door or a microchip cat door, we make sure your pet understands how it works before we leave.

Experience from around 30,000 dogs

Our work happens inside people’s homes, on the dog’s own territory. Over the years we’ve met around 30,000 dogs that way, and owned at least 10 of our own. Reading a dog quickly and adjusting to it is part of every job, and it’s what our training is built on.

How We Train Dogs to Use a Pet Door: No Treats Required

We don’t rely on handing out a treat every time your dog goes through. Instead we help your dog:

  • get familiar with the door and the way the flap moves
  • understand that it’s their own way in and out
  • build the confidence to use it on their own

Every dog learns differently, so we adjust to its personality, its confidence and how it responds. We never force a dog through the door. When a dog struggles, the cause is usually the method, the owner’s approach, the dog’s confidence, an unfamiliar setting or simply needing more time, so we work out which one it is first.

Fewer Than Five Return Visits Since 2013

Since 2013, fewer than five installation customers have needed us to come back for a second training visit, and every one of those visits was free. We’ve yet to meet a dog we couldn’t teach to use a pet door. For a dog owner’s view of what to expect, read Will my dog use a dog door?.

Free Dog Behaviour Advice With Your Installation

If you’re a new or existing installation customer, we’re happy to spend around 10 extra minutes on the day talking through your dog’s behaviour, toilet training and everyday manners, at no charge. If you’d like a longer consultation or a dedicated training visit, a small service fee may apply.

Many owners we meet want to do the best for their dog but aren’t sure where to start. These are the questions we hear most:

  • How do I teach my dog the difference between acceptable and unwanted behaviour?
  • How should I approach toilet training?
  • Why does my dog behave differently at home than outside, on the lead or off it?
  • How can I tell when my dog feels uncomfortable, nervous or threatened?
  • Am I being too strict, or not setting enough boundaries?
  • How do I know whether my dog actually understands what I’m teaching?

They come up most with first-time owners and people raising a puppy. If you’ve had dogs for years you may not need the advice, but if you’re unsure where to begin, those ten minutes are a useful start.

Our Approach: Understand Your Dog, Then Guide Them

Dogs communicate through body language, routine and their surroundings, not words, and a dog can behave quite differently at home, out on a walk or around strangers. So rather than expecting a dog to understand us, we learn how it communicates and guide it in a way it understands.

That means consistency, clear communication, sensible boundaries, positive reinforcement and trust, so your dog learns what’s expected without fear or stress. We don’t teach tricks. We focus on good manners, clear boundaries and the confidence to handle everyday life, the pet door included.

Pet Door Installation With Training Included

Training comes with every door we install, for dogs and cats, in glass, timber, screen and French doors. Choose a door type to see the options.

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Sydney paws pet doors background image Microchip Cat Door - Cat Door Installation Sydney

Pet Door Training for Cats

Cats get the same introduction. Cautious cats often need a slower start than dogs, so we match the pace to your cat and show you how to carry on at home. If you’ve chosen a microchip cat door, we’ll also show you how it works so you know what to expect.

For more on how cats take to a new door, read Will my cat use a cat door?.

Your Part in the Training

Training works best when the method carries on after we leave:

  • follow the technique we show you, and be consistent
  • stick to one method rather than mixing in others, which can confuse your pet
  • practise regularly in a calm, relaxed setting

Already Have a Pet Door, but Your Dog Won’t Use It?

You’re not alone. We hear this regularly. Sometimes another company installed the door without much guidance on introducing it. Other times the dog is frightened by the flap, unsure about the opening or not yet confident going through on its own.

A dog refusing to use a pet door doesn’t mean the door is wrong or that your dog can’t learn. The right fix depends on the dog, the type of door and the reason it’s holding back. We can visit your home to assess the situation and train your dog for a small service fee, even if we didn’t install the door. Call 0421 575 229 or get a quote online.

Training Terms

  • Pet door training is included free with every pet door we install.
  • If your pet is still unsure after installation, you’re eligible for up to two free follow-up training visits.
  • Training visits for doors we didn’t install carry a small service fee.
  • Our service is non-refundable, as results depend on the method being followed at home. We’ll give you clear instructions to practise with.

Pet Door Training FAQs

Yes. Every pet door we install includes training for your dog or cat at no extra cost. We introduce your pet to the door on the day, or show you our method so you can keep practising at home.

No. We don’t rely on treats. We help your dog get familiar with the door, understand how it works and build the confidence to use it on their own, adjusting to each dog’s personality.

Get in touch. Installation customers are eligible for up to two free follow-up training visits. Since 2013, fewer than five customers have needed a second visit.

Yes. We can visit your home to work out why your dog won’t use the door and train them, for a small service fee, even if we didn’t install it.

Yes. For installation customers we can usually spend around 10 minutes on the day talking through behaviour, toilet training and everyday manners, free. A longer consultation or dedicated training visit may carry a small service fee.

About Sydney Paws Pet Doors

About Sydney Paws Pet Door - BG image

Being huge pet lovers, we understand the importance of having the ultimate care and protection for our pet friends. That is why we offer prompt, reliable and trustworthy service in installing the safest pet doors. Choose our pet door installation in Sydney and ensure a safety zone for your dearest pet.

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testimonials

Read why pet owners love our doors and the freedom they provide.

Pet Door Training -
Excellent
Sydney Paws Petdoor5.0
Based on 393 reviews
Pet Door Training -
Tash Henry
1 week ago
Five star service. Turned up on time, super polite, super knowledgeable, recommended an even better door location at our house and offered great training advice for pets to get used to the door which looks great. Would not hesitate to recommend!
Response from the owner:Thanks Tash! Picking the right spot for the door makes a real difference, so glad we could suggest a better location for your place. Great to hear the training advice landed too. Really appreciate the recommendation!
A great service! Alex took the time to provide thorough explanation and guidance, he worked carefully and with great attention to detail, leaving the area clean, all while being very professional and friendly. He offered great instructions on how to train the cats to use the cat flap and what common mistakes to avoid. It worked a treat and our two cats figured it out within two days. Thank you, Alex!
Response from the owner:Thank you Juliane! Walking you through the training and the common mistakes to avoid is just as important as the install itself, so glad that paid off. Two cats sorted in two days is a great result. Thanks so much!
Alex went well above and beyond assisting us with training both our dogs to use the pet door. I was really impressed by his method and how quickly both dogs responded. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking to install a pet door. Additionally he is a really nice guy 😊, thanks again 🙏
Response from the owner:Thanks Iain and Laura! Getting both dogs trained up quickly is always the goal, so glad the method worked for you. And thanks for the kind words, much appreciated!
Pet Door Training -
Anna Ektoros
3 weeks ago
Alex from Sydney Paws Petdoor was professional and extremely knowledgeable. He installed the petdoor efficiently and left zero mess behind. Alex was patient and helpful in training my scaredycat cavoodle to use the new petdoor. I highly recommend going with this Sydney based professional!!! Great service!
Response from the owner:Thank you Anna! A scaredy cavoodle needs a bit of patience, so we’re glad we could take the time to get yours comfortable with it. And a clean finish is a given for us. Really appreciate the recommendation!
Pet Door Training -
Brooke Langford
4 weeks ago
Our new door is awesome. Great communication. Installation was quick and easy. They were patient with training my dog who hasn't used a dog door before.
Response from the owner:Thanks Brooke! Glad the install was quick and easy. A dog new to a pet door just needs a bit of patience, so we’re happy we could take the time to get yours started. Enjoy the new door!
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