How to teach a dog to tell you when he wants to go outside

It can be a difficult and long task, but there are ways to teach your dog to tell you when he wants to go outside. Here are steps to help you achieve this goal.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a device that your dog can use to alert you when they want to go out. A bell on a string hanging next to the door is great since the dog can hit it with its paw.

2. Teach your dog to ring the bell. Before you can teach them that the bell means outside, you must teach your dog to simply ring the bell. Have your dog sit by the bell. Ring it and give him a treat. Do this a few times each time saying a specific word when you ring the bell. After doing it a few times say the word, but wait for your dog to ring the bell. After your dog has learned to ring the bell and is able to repeat the process several times for a treat move on to the next step.

3. Associate the bell with outside. Now set a treat outside on the steps. Command your dog to ring the bell. Once they do allow them outside to get the treat. Repeat this process until your dog knows that ringing the bell allows him to go outside and get a treat.

4. Remove the treat from outside. Allow your dog to ring the bell and go outside. While there is no treat praise him and allow him to run around outdoors and play. Your dog can now ring the bell whenever he wants to go outside.

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