How can I teach her to bark or scratch when she has to go out

[ladawn]

Daisy is housetrained (I think) (3 mo). I've had her for just over 2 weeks and we are crate training her. When she has to go out, she sits by the door and looks at me. I let her out, she goes. Right now, I look at her pretty much every second that she is out of the crate (because she chews EVERYTHING--and she has 5 or 6 toys to choose from) so when she makes her way to the door I see her. But if I'm in the kitchen washing dishes, I can't see the door (or her) and I'm afraid she'll have an accident and longterm, I hope to not always have to watch her every second. My roommate has to holler at me to let her out because she is sitting by the door. I would like for her to bark or scratch the door (maybe not scratch the door) to let me know to let her out. We won't start obedience classes until next month and I'd like to start practicing now. Hints please.

One more question: Daisy likes to chase frogs outside (tons of frogs in the backyard). Sometimes when she sits by the door, it's not to go outside and "use it". It's to chase frogs! I guess I'll just live with it because as my roommates fiance says "is not letting her out because you think she really just wants to chase frogs, a risk you want to take?" It's not, but if you all have suggestions, let me know.

[AngelBunny]

ladawn:

Several members here have hung a bell on the door & ring it every time they let the dog out. Daisy will soon figure out if she rings the bell you'll let her out.

[luvarott]

She WILL eventually figure out a way to let you know she wants out. Remember that she is just a baby puppy and this phase will pass where you absolutely have to be watching her every second. It is the history of NO accidents in the house and much rewards for doing it outside that will build her own clean habits.
I use a bell for some dogs. Others have their own systems to alert me (there's the "dance around" dog, the "stare you down" dog, the "playbow and woof while edging butt towards the back door" dog!). But I would never rely on a puppy younger than 5 to 6 months old to tell me for sure......

[Nubwiggles]

I hung a bell on the door at Christmas and my rott/shep learned very quickly that if he rang the bell the humans would hop up and let him out....at least 50 times a day! LOL! he loved that bell! My female rott will sit quietly at the door until someone notices her, unless she really has to "go" then she will let out a small grumbly woof!

[Judi W]

Get a couple of sheep bells and hang them down so they are at her nose level. She'll likely bump them accidentally a couple of times (in between you making them ring before you open the door) and it should happen quickly. Believe me, you do not want a Rottweiler to scratch at the door! That does too much damage.

[Charlie's Angels]

Charlie has learned to bark at the door when he has to "go pee". If you want him to bark by the door to let you know he has to "use it" you first have to teach her to "speak". Charlie (thanks to Elijah's Mom) was taught this in a matter of days.
Have Daisy sit and hold a treak in front of her (but not to high b/c this will only cause her to jump) and tell her to speak. don't give it to her until she barks/speaks and then she's "Such a GOOD GIRL". Rotties catch on quick. After many repetitions she'll learn to speak on command. So, when she has learned to speak, tell her to speak when you see her sitting by the door and after she speaks immediately open the door to let her out. She will soon learn to speak by the door when she has to "use it". I went through the same exact thing that your went through except the without the froggies. :p

[ozziesmom]

I know what you mean. Ozzie will be three on September 25, and he still doesn't bark to go out. However, I let him out at predetermined times so its not a problem. Additionally, when he want something (like going out) he will like the me to death (drives me crazy) until he gets it. I sometimes would like him to bark just a little when he wants something, but he seems to reserve his barks for the vacuum cleaner, mop when I'm using it, the broom, the lawn mower. Oh yeah, small moving objects like frogs are still one of his favorite items to chase and pounce on. But you know I love him to death.

Good luck, sorry couldn't give you any advice.