Dogs are natural creatures, and they use a whole host of behaviors to communicate with their owners. Some dog training tricks can help you work on some basic communication skills with your dog. The most common of these is asking your dog to “Sit” when you sit down, but that is just the start. Most of us have been taught that giving a dog directions is proper, but how do you teach it to listen to you? This is where training your dog to listen to you becomes important. This article will give you some tips on how to train your dog to tell you when it needs to go outside.
Dogs are very social animals and most of them prefer to be with people they know. To train your dog to listen to you, it is important to understand why they behave the way they do. Most of the time, a dog barks for a reason. If you take the time to figure out what causes your dog to bark, you can train it to stop barking without resorting to dog training tricks. For example, you might discover that your dog likes to dig. If you find someplace that he likes to dig, make sure you let him access it before scaring him by rushing him into it.
Training your dog to let you know when it needs to go out can be accomplished by simply walking through a door leading to an area that your dog finds comfortable. You should never lead your dog by the nose and never, under any circumstances, force your dog to follow you. If you catch him in the act of going outside, simply push him away gently with your foot or stick. If he tries to pull ahead, do not push him because he may catch up with you and get hit by the side of the road.
Another training trick that people attempt when teaching how to train your dog to tell you when it needs to go out is enticing the dog to keep quiet. If your dog loves to bark, try to entice him by saying something like “stay quiet” or “let me hear you”. It is important to stay quiet or else the dog will continue to bark. If he barks when you talk to him, try to redirect the command to other members of the family such as your kids.
Teaching your dog how to tell you when it needs to go out involves patience. It is not enough to simply shout at your dog to go out, especially if he is still quite young. You must learn how to effectively teach him to listen to you. When learning how to train your dog to tell you when it needs to go out, it is important to remember that dogs are pack animals and will go where they think they can go. You should consider asking other family members to let you know when your dog needs to potty. While this may not always work, it does lessen the chances of your dog relieving himself in another room.
If you have no one to ask, you can opt to give your dog a food reward. This is probably the best option when you are wondering how to train your dog to tell you when it needs to go out. By doing so, your dog will learn to associate the sound of your voice with getting its dinner.
In addition to using voice commands and food to motivate your dog, it is also beneficial to create a “hideout” area for your dog. To do this, make a circle with your legs and let your dog wander out into the circle. Once your dog has entered the circle, say the command for him to “hides”. The dog will quickly realize that he will get his dinner if he remains in the circle. Once he finishes, praise your dog and give him a treat. Repeat this procedure whenever you catch him eliminating inside of the house.
Although these two tips are great suggestions on how to train your dog to tell you when it needs to go out, they are only meant as a guideline. Your dog may need additional training in some situations. If this occurs, then you will need to take it to your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to evaluate your dog and recommend further training. Good luck and happy training!
