Find the door

About this task

Dog locates and leads the handler to a specific door or exit on cue.

How it helps: Allows blind or mobility-impaired handlers to navigate to exits and entrances without sighted assistance.

Required foundation skills

Loose leash walking. Basic targeting.

Training steps

1. Teach dog to touch a door with nose on cue
2. Add the cue "find the door"
3. Practice finding the front door of home
4. Practice finding doors in different rooms
5. Practice in unfamiliar buildings
6. Teach dog to lead handler to the door after finding it
7. Generalize to emergency exits, bathroom doors, etc.

Proofing criteria

Once your dog reliably performs this task at home, proof it in these environments and situations:

1. Finds front door of home on cue
2. Finds bathroom door in unfamiliar building
3. Finds exit in a store
4. Leads handler directly to door
5. Works in crowded environments
6. Works in low-light conditions