Bring the water to a boil, and add the hot dogs just as the water begins to boil. Don’t put hot dogs in water that’s already at a rolling boil as this makes them more likely to split. Alternatively, you can put the hot dogs in cold water, and then bring it to a boil — this also reduces the likelihood of a split. Ready to Eat. When the water returns to a boil, cover the pot and let it boil for a minute. Turn off the heat and let the hot dogs stand in the pot for 5 to 7 minutes.