 In 611, when Emperor Yang of Sui was conscripting men for his campaign against Goguryeo, Dou was conscripted and selected to be the commander of 200 men.During those times, there were floods afflicting the region east of the Taihang Mountains.One of the men from Dou's home county, Sun Anzu (), whose house had recently been destroyed in the flood and whose wife had starved to death, was also conscripted.