First off, I feel silly calling it a “doggy door.” I don’t call Patch a “doggy,” so why should I call the door something so silly sounding? I’m considering calling it the “Door of Doom for the Viscious 15 lb Canine.” That sounds a lot more grown-up, though it doesn’t roll off the tongue so well.
The contractors installed the door yesterday, and when I came home, my son had already started training Patch to hop through. Patch would still rather you open the sliding glass door for him, but he’ll eventually get the message.
Alex is hanging with his friends Ricky, Joe and Allison when I get home; I ask if the contractor left a bill. Nope, but Alex tells me the door did come with a training video. For hoots, the 5 of us decide to watch it. It’s a pretty short video, maybe 5 minutes, and it’s pretty lame. Tape the flaps up out of the way. Call your dog with a treat to get him to jump through. When he’s comfortable with that, get on the same side as the dog and toss the treat through. Eventually lower the flaps and repeat.
I looked at Alex. “Did you do that?”
“Sort of. Not really. No.” I don’t speak teen anymore, so I don’t know what he means. I look at the dog.
“I think this would be more effective,” I said. I picked up Patch, walked across the kitchen, and threw him through the doggy Door of Doom for the Viscious 15 lb Canine. *Whoosh* Patch is outside.
There, that was easier. If Patch wants to come back in, he’ll figure it out. 😛
It took him maybe 15 seconds before Patch couldn’t stand to be alone and hopped back in. Training is over. 🙂
Chasing the Wind 
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