How do you train this one.

[rsaarinen]

Ok so I have been talked out of placing a doggy door in the house for the time being. So now I have a problem. I want to teach chopper to open and close the slider that he uses to go potty! This way he can go outside when he wants and come in.

Any ideas on how to teach him to pull the rope so the slider opens then when he comes back in have him close it shut., Got I would be in heavan if he could!@

[Sargeant_C]

Umm well I am sure with a rope you could get him to open it. But to close it all the time nope not dependable enough.

Why not have a doggie door?

But if you do train your dog to do this.. let me know how you did it!

[rsaarinen]

I am getting a rope this afternoon for him to use. He likes to play tug so I don't see why this can't be done. I will just have to be persistant and praise the hell out of him if he does it.

The reason I don't have a doggy door is casue i'm being told he's too young to have one. He's going on 17 weeks and some poeple said I shoiuld wait longer to let him get used to holding it in!

[AB1101]

Idea, teach the dog to tug a rope on command with you holding it. Next tie the rope to the door, and tell the dog to tug while you hold it while it is attached to the slider. After those are good solid commands and the door is actually opening and closing have a command for open ,and close. Then I would try to associate this with going outside. Maybe it will work , or maybe it won't.

[BostonRott]

Why do you need to do this?

I'm sorry, but it sure sounds to me like you're too lazy to have a puppy and to spend time training him correctly. This is NOT a good thing for a Rottweiler owner.

The puppy needs you to let him in/out. If you can not do that b/c of work schedule, then hire someone to do it. He can be crated when you're gone, as long as someone can get him outside. If you're home, then get off your butt and let the dog in/out as he needs. Why is that so difficult?

I'm sure you'll be really thrilled when he figures out how to transfer "open the slider door" to "open the fridge door" and then cleans out your fridge.

[SonnyRott]

Not to mention IF he learns how to do it, he'll be letting himself out constantly...and it won't be to pee. It's a good way for a dog to get into unsupervised trouble.

It is also good to get in the habit of being there when your dog goes to the bathroom (particularly this young), as you will be able to see if his bowel habits change, if he is straining, if he is able to empty his bladder completely, etc.

Potential health problems can be detected early by watching your dog and seeing what comes out the other end!