Training - Teaching the dog getting out of a car
Practice with the dog getting out of a car: The first thing that should be taught to a dog about getting out of a car is to wait for their master to tell them to get out. Even if the door is open they must not jump out until they are given the command to "Get out" (or the like). When the dog trainer gets out of the car and opens the door (whether side or back) they should clearly command the dog to "Stay" (or the like) and the dog should wait patiently while the trainer gets their stuff ready and attaches the leash etc… Only when the trainer gives the dog the command to get out should the dog get down from the car. Once the dog masters this behavior the trainer should up the difficulty of the exercise by opening the door telling the dog to wait and then greeting and talking for awhile with someone else or having another person or dog pass by the open door.
Practicing in the city with stairs: When going up or down stairs (or escalators) the dog should walk at the trainer's side ("Heel") or better yetdirectly behind the trainer. Dogs often have great difficulty with stairs, especially those that have slippery surfaces or are open or moving. In order for the course instructor to be aware of the level of training each dog has in regards to stairs. It is best for the group to begin with some easy stairs. Have each team of dog and trainer go up and down the stairs with the course instructor watching.
Pointer: Be especially careful on stairs with dogs that have coats with long hair or those dogs with back problems.
Practicing in the city with elevators: Two or three teams should go up or down the elevator at a time. It is important that there be an assistant to hold open the elevator doors while the teams are entering or exiting. Other people should be discouraged from entering the elevator while the dog teams are inside as the dogs will already feel threatened enough in the small and tight space of the elevator. Once the dogs have become more accustomed to this exercise they should learn how to handle the presence of other people in the elevator calmly and without growling. When exiting the elevator the dogs should wait for their masters to exit first or the dog should follow the trainer at "Heel" and not try and race out before their master.


