Training is one of the best ways to bond with your dog. Most dogs want only to please their masters. Our canine companions are intelligent creatures who need mental stimulation. Training helps focus their efforts in constructive ways, rather than destructive behaviors like chewing, barking or digging for entertainment. Teaching your dog to turn on the lights is a fun and rewarding trick. The easiest way for her to learn this behavior is through target training.
1. Know what motivates your dog. Some dogs prefer treats; others prefer praise and petting. I know my dog is food motivated because as soon as those treats come out, she sits at attention.
2. Teach your dog to touch one of your hands with her nose. When you hold out your hand, her natural instinct will be to come over and sniff it. A basic tenet of animal training is to award natural behaviors and use them to meet your goal. If your dog seems disinterested in your outstretched hand, put a treat in that hand to attract her.
3. As soon as her nose touches your hand, praise her and give her a treat from your other hand. It is important that you use the same hand for her to touch every time and dispense treats with only the other hand to help your pet recognize her target, which is essential in target training.
4. After a few times, introduce the command “touch” each time you hold out your hand. Repeat this process until your dog touches your hand every time. This should take just a few minutes.
5. Move your hand off to the side, up high, down low and then off to the other side to get your dog to fully understand that your hand is a target. Reward her with a treat from your other hand or lots of praise when she completes the task.
6. Transition to a sticky note as the target, instructing her to touch it while it is still in your hand. Continue rewarding her with treats and praise.
7. Place the sticky note on the wall at the same height as your dog’s nose, and instruct her to touch it.
8. Place the sticky note on the light switch so that when she touches it, the light turns on.
9. After several successful attempts, change the command from “touch” to “lights.”
10. Continue this target training with your dog until she can do it without the sticky note. Remember to ask her to do it often so she does not forget.
It is best to take frequent breaks, especially when you find yourself getting frustrated. The goal is to spend quality time with your pet without getting angry. It may take several training sessions over several weeks to transition from touching your hand to touching the sticky note while it is not in your hand. Target training takes patience, but it is very rewarding to teach your dog to turn on the lights.