How Can I Teach My Dog to Tell Me When it Wants to Go Out?

All dogs need to be house-trained properly in order to avoid accidents in the house. It's easiest to teach dogs to tell you when to go out when they are still puppies, but adult dogs can learn house-training as well. It is important to stick to the same routine and schedule consistent times when going out with your dog so that it can let you know when a walk is necessary.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a dog walking schedule which you can stick to every day. This may be difficult if you leave the house at different times each day due to work, school or other important tasks. If possible, stick to a consistent schedule with about 3 to 4 walks a day, on weekdays and weekends. For example, if you walk your dog at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., don't change this schedule on the weekends in order to sleep in. This will confuse your dog.

    • 2

      Exit the same door each time you walk your dog to avoid confusion. That way, your dog will know that this door is the way to go out, and will let you know by looking at it or sitting near it when it has to go out.

    • 3

      Choose a command which alerts your dog that it's time to go out, and stick to it. You may say "Let's go," "Walk," "Come on," or other similar commands which your dog will learn to associate with walks. Choose a command which you can use only to symbolize a walk.

    • 4

      Give your dog treats after a walk so that it knows that this is the right way. If you catch your dog urinating inside, don't yell, scream or scold. Instead, startle your dog by clapping loudly. Take your dog out immediately and give a treat after the walk.

    • 5

      Teach your dog a communication tool which it can use to tell you to go out. Some dogs bark, scratch the door or whine when they want to go out. According to the ASPCA, a good communication tool is a bell which you can hang on the doorknob of the door you use when going on a walk. Hang a bell or a few small bells on the doorknob and show them to your dog. You may need to rub treats against the bells for your dog to notice them. Use a command such as "touch" while showing your dog the bells so it touches them. Then, immediately go for a walk and give your dog a treat. Soon, your dog will know that touching the bell symbolizes a walk and a praise with a treat. It may take some time for your dog to understand this though, so be patient.

    • 6

      Visit a veterinarian with your dog if it continues to urinate inside the house at various times during the day. The urinating may be related to a medical condition. If you are unable to deal with the problem on your own, you may attend house-training classes with your dog to receive assistance from a professional.