A refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a door, a door opener, and a controller. The door opener may be attached to a cabinet and include a casing, a push rod, and a position sensor. The controller may be in operable communication with the door opener and configured to direct an opener operation. The opener operation may include directing the push rod to a retracted position, detecting the door in the closed position following directing the push rod to the retracted position, directing the push rod forward from the retracted position following detecting the door in the closed position, monitoring sensor output at the rod-load sensor while directing the push rod forward, detecting contact with the door while monitoring sensor output, and halting the push rod at a partially extended position in response to detecting contact.