Teaching a puppy to signal to go outside

Jlynn

I apologize if this has been gone over, I was unable to find a thread. Murphy is 13 weeks now and is starting to get the hang of the potty training thing. Still working, but getting much better.

I am wondering at what age do dogs start telling you they need to go outside? Right now I am just watching for his signals and take him out. I have read about the bells on the door/floor and it is just not an option for us. Has anyone else used a different method to train their dog to let them know they need to go out?

seebrown

We taught our dog to scratch. Before letting him out to potty, lift his paw and scratch it on the door, then open the door and let him out. Only took a week or two for our pup to figure it out, and I much prefer it to a bell.

Tess

Our dogs taught us their signals, which were subtle... just giving us a certain look while angling their bodies relative to the door.

Or you can do the bell thing. Personally I did not want them ringing a bell everytime they saw a bird or squirrel out the window, so we never used a sound like that.

Dawnben

One of mine gives a small growl and bark and continues until she it let out she has done this since she was 3 months old. My other one puts his nose against the door until you let him out. Some dogs you have to teach, here are a couple of choices that you can use for this
Poochie-Bells, The Trusted Dog Potty Training and Housebreaking Tool
Tell Bell - Kelston Products

Ilovedogs2

I wonder if a dog would ring a bell so it could go after a squirrel. That is funny! Marty jumped up and down in front of door if he has to go really badly. I try to read my dog body language , my dogs will pant heavy when need to go out or act restless. The OP could try to train her dog to go get her by touching her then running to the door. My hearing dog did this to let me know someone was at the door or the phone was ringing.