L. Swanston,
Yes... that was the point I was tring to make.... thanks! I agree 100% with that... we all see that kind of crap all to often.

Caniche,
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Thanks, monosyllabic words will be fine. We will try to have a good day and stay warm up here in the deep cover of artic snow and ice, do you have any extra beaver trap parts.. I broke mine and I am hungry for lunch!

Speaking of dog tricks....in the early 1960s my grandparents thought their TV had a short in it because it would sometimes be on when they came home from work. One morning Grandma forgot something, came back in the house, and found her toy Pomeranian, Gigi, standing on her rear legs and using her front paws to turn the TV on! They never taught her to do that... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That's cute Pamela... my dog loves to watch TV we just leave it on for him when we leave, he tries to run the remote but just slobbers on it.

Well hello there, I have enjoyed this topic, but will get back to the original post. It is a wonderful trick for you to teach turning on the light or off, but in fact it is a necessary job for some assistance dogs. It is usually taught with target training, for those who might be interested. The dog is taught to paw or nose a target stick or laser pointer light. The light switch is brought down to the level of the dog and the dog is taught to target the switch in one direction then given a command and then in the other direction and given the command. Once the dog is consistant with it, the switch is slowly moved up to a higher position until eventually it is at the right height. The dog is also taught paws up and that can be used to get the dog to a higher position. It is, when trained thoroughly, a specific ordered pattern. When target trained properly, the dog can be taught to flush the toilet that way as well. If anyone is interested I can enlighten you on training opening doors, cupboards and getting a beer. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Phyllis,

It's good to hear from you again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Chuck, Thanks, it's nice to be back. It's been busy here. I can't get over all of the new members now. Wow, it's building fast. It's nice to see some friendly bantering too. I've got a new 10 week old female lab, and she is a really nice prospect for the assistance training. I'm having a lot of fun with her. I just started to introduce her to the laser target, she just jumps right on it. I think I have a winner here.

Good for you. Good luck.

I have trained my Akita to turn on and off the lights, open doors, get the mail and paper, sort the laundry, get the phone when it rings, throw away trash, take out the trash, get the remote, turn on and off the tv, hold and carry things for me, to find things when they are lost, and to get his leash and the car keys, plus fetch and other basic commands. I agree it is really cool to have a dog be able to do things for you, now if only he could clean the hole house for me when I am at work, lol, bye everyone! Enjoy your dogs!

Hehe, this topic brings up fond memories of our beloved Chesapeke Bay Retriever we had growing up. Retired from his field champion days, he was very bored and we were always teaching him new things up to 10 years old. The best was hide and go seek. OK, I know him waiting til we hid, and then finding us is no big deal. But we would tell him to hide and off he would go. He never figured out that just cause he hid his head, didn't mean we couldnt see the rest of him... he try to hide in places he never quite fit in. So working dog and old dogs are always up for new tricks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Phyllis: I would love some info on some "trick" training!