How Can I Get My Dog To Let Me Know He Wants To Go Out?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I’ve a lovely little six month old westie – he’s been a dream so far in house training him but he won’t ever make a sound when he needs to go out.
I was taking him out every hour when he was little to do his business, and he’s been really good – now I know the signs when he needs to go out so I open the door and he goes no problem. The only issue being that if I don’t notice he needs to go out as I’m busy on something else then he won’t make a sound to let me know! He’s not at all a vocal dog, he hardly makes any sound! We’ve not had many accidents at all so far so I’m not complaining, but I’d love to know of any tips in solving this situation.
Any ideas please?
Related West Highland White Terrier posts:
- Question About My West Highland White Terrier?
- I Need Any Info On Westies That Could Help Me Take Care Of My Puppy Better?
- Names For A West Highland White Terrier, Great Dane And Jack Russel Terrier?
- I Have A 10 Week Old Westie That Doesn’t Crate Train Well.?
- Westie Names – How to Name Your Wesite Properly
if you already know the signs then that’s enough, you don’t want to teach him bad habits such as making noise when he wants to go out because there is a chance that it might become out of hand. You just have to be aware and keep checking that he isn’t showing you any “signs” of needing the toilet its something you have to get used to doing even if you are busy it won’t take a minute to check. Its like taking care of a child except its not as one on one and that’s really the only difference. You are doing the right thing by taking him out every hour or so and he will get used to the routine and so will you in time.
I hope this helps.
Have you tried asking him? That sounds stupid but dogs will get excited if they need something. Something like, “do you need to go out?? ya need to go out?!?” to get his tail wagging or him barking or something.. Stay with the same phrase and only ask when you do take him out so he gets the routine down.
If you want him to tell you by himself, I don’t think he will. He seems to think that you already know when he needs to go so he doesn’t tell you? He hasn’t made a mess yet because you take him out at the right time.
Tie a bell to the door that hangs at nose level. Every time you take him out you ring the bell right before you open the door. In a short amount of time the dog will see the connection that the door opens after the bell rings and he will ring the bell when he wants the door opened.
This technique works quite well.