Just thought I would share a very good training aid on how to teach the dog to turn off and on the light switch. You get a 12 inch wide board by 2 1/2 to 3 foot long board. You actually cut a hole in the board and mount a light swith with the face plate. My local hardware store made mine for me and it cost only $8.00 for the materials and labor. You start down low to the ground so it is easy for your dog to touch. After that is easy for him to do, you move the board up a bit higher. Then you finaly have your dog stand up on his hind legs to reach the real light switch. This has been a wonderful training aid for me to teach my service dog to do the lights.
And to teach him how to open automatic doors that open with a large button. You do the board thing again only this time you will need a round styrofoam ball cut in half and I covered mine with cloth. Then I put it on the board and gave the command to touch. In no time he had that one down pat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The opening the fridge door, you can use a towel for him to grab and you tell him to open, they do that by just pulling on the towel, that does not take long for them to learn at all.

My service dog has never done this but my friends did. Her Golden Retriever was taught to open her fridge and do bring items that she requested. Well her dog opened the fridge during the night and ate a pound of ham and a 1/2 pound cheese. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Joyce M. Burrows and I.C. my wonderful Service Dog. And yes you already have to know he is a GSD.

HE ! HE! I taught my dog withing 3 of 4 days to open the patio door when we go outside and also how to open the fridge.....hé ! hé !

What had to happen, did...

woke up late one morning, fridge door and patio door wide open and not a dog in sight (i have 3others)

Hmm, I guess you also taught your dog how to open the LOCK on the patio door???

Hmm, I guess you also taught your dog how to open the LOCK on the patio door???