How to Train Your Dog to Turn Off the Lights

Don't you hate it when you're snuggled in bed or on the couch ready to watch a movie and you have to get up to turn the lights off when the light switch is across the room? What if you could get a helper to take care of that? If you have a dog, you might be able to ask for her assistance if you train her how to turn off the lights.

This is a fun trick that also serves a great purpose. We are all trying to use less energy, so engaging your dog in this planet-friendly habit will not only save your electric bills, but it will also give you some great time to bond with your best friend. This trick is a little more advanced and may take some time for her to understand the cue, but you'll be happy she learned to turn off the lights when the next movie night rolls around.

Teaching your dog to turn off the lights is considered an advanced trick. It's helpful if she has already mastered commands like 'sit','jump', and 'watch me'. You also need to take into consideration the size and agility of your dog and how far off the ground your light switch is. If you have a large dog that can reach the switch without jumping, you may have more success than with a smaller dog that doesn't like to jump. Some breeds of dog are certainly better suited for turning out the lights than others. Don't attempt this trick if your dog has any health problems that would make it painful.

Another important consideration is the kind of light switch you have. This trick works best with light switches that toggle back and forth or flip up and down. Don't attempt this trick with a lamp or anything that could fall and break. You don't want to damage property or risk your dog cutting his paw on broken glass or getting hit with a falling object.

There are a few things you need before you attempt this trick. As mentioned previously, it's a good idea to teach your dog commands like "sit," "watch me," and "jump." Your dog should be used to training games and learning tricks. Once you feel comfortable, keep these items on hand and you are ready to start.

• Tasty treats for training
• A clicker to mark behavior
• Sticky notes to target touching
• A laser pointer
  
• Time and patience

Take a look at the three methods below and choose the one you think will work best for your dog. With a little practice, you'll be uploading videos of your dog's new talent and you'll never have to get out of bed to turn off the lights again.