Training a Rehomed Newf

[Cindy Snyder]

Not sure where this issue falls in the categories offered, so I'm posting where I hope I get the most response. We are the 7th home for our rescued newf, so he has been through a lot of rules. Along the way he learned that the best way to get outside or inside is to scratch on the door. I cannot ignore this method, as I don't want my doors scratched up. How can I retrain this guy to bark or otherwise signal his desire to go or out?

 

[Angela]

Presumably you have had Newfs before? How did you train them?
The only thing. I can think to do would be to set up a schedule where he goes out on a regular basis and you go with him. If he starts to scratch the door tell him No. This could take time given the poor boy has had so many homes, what a terrible life. Hopefully you are his last
Just had another thought, can you put chairs up against the doors so,he can't get to the door but you will see him standing there?

 

[MC Sullivan]

I agree. Try setting up a schedule and have him do a sit stay at the door (this can start off very brief) and then you go out with him. I've also heard of people hanging a bell on the door that they train the dog to nudge if they need to go out. Good luck.

 

[lmfoltyn]

Oh poor guy...I hope you can give him all the love he is going to need...no tips on the scratching doors as mine have always just stood at the door looking at me to go out. Best of luck though...

 

[wrknnwf]

There are a number of items that he could paw to let you know without scratching the door. You would just have to redirect his scratching to something like this...Tell Bell or like this Dog Doorbell

Try searching for dog doorbell.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I suggest the bells just like wrknwf mentions, I think it would be easier for him to pick up on, it's just that he's aiming for something now Or maybe start out with the teaching the touch command (I did it with Myra) and eventually once he understands to use his nose to touch, introduce touching the bells. Good Luck and hope that he finally is home


p.s. I have the christmas bells that hang from the door knob

 

[NinaA]

If he knows about scratching to let you know, redirecting to bells may be the easiest thing. Just correct the scratch and praise the nosing the bells. But, be patient, the poor guy has a lot of adjustments to make - I'm guessing. Although, I had a rehome that had lived 3 places before us and she moved in like she'd lived here forever. We had her 13 more years. Good luck and bless you for giving him his forever home.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

The bells worked like a gem for us! We trained Thor to paw/nose the bells to go out. We no longer have the bells, but Thor will go nose the door handle. Good luck and bless you for taking him in.

 

[Jeff in Ottawa]

I agree with the bell approach. I think some others have used a string of 3 or 4 Christmas bells hung from the door handle and the dog can just nuzzle them. However, something on the floor might be easier because it's less of a change from the current scratching approach. Good luck and thanks for taking in a rescue!

 

[Lori]

The bells work wonderfully! We adopted an Aussie mix years ago who was trained by her foster family to use the bells. One day she was outside already and I heard the bells ring. Didn't make sense so I went to the door and who do I find there but Chance, my newf! He must have seen her doing it and figured why not! Lol

 

[Newfobsessed]

I've heard the bells work very well...esp for the dogs who like to paw or scratch something so they most likely will be the ticket for your new baby. I've trained mine to either bark or come and get me. Bless you for taking this rescue. Hoping you are his forever home.

 

[Jeannie]

When we got our 1st rescue she was 7 and we was her 9th home. It took a bit of work to get her to understand our rules. It was 3 years before she would look us in the eye and new she was home for good. Lots of patience and understanding. Don't scold her just gently correct and redirect her to what you want. It's going to take time.

 

[Newfielover89]

What kind of door is it? If it's just a plain swinging old wooden door, I'd put a baby gate in front of it so that he can't keep scratching it while you are training him on the bell.

 

[R Taft]

There are a number of items that he could paw to let you know without scratching the door. You would just have to redirect his scratching to something like this...Tell Bell or like this Dog Doorbell

Try searching for dog doorbell.

I have had several re-home and rescues and like my puppies I train them to ask to be let out withthe bell we have hanging on the door handel......My Annabelle was not even potty trained at 14month and I also did the umbilical system with her. I would go outside and on the way out would ring the bell and say "outside" happily and reward the going out....she still rings the bell when it comes out for new puppies and looks at me and asks for a treat. Lukey was a terrible scratcher, we just did the same to him and everytime he went outside without scratching (even if we walked hime through the door) we would reward, reward, reward.....In the warmer months a dog door has helped enormously.free choice. It is passive persistence and lots of rewards.........Also asking "do you want to go outside" and if the dog voices (whimper/bark or jumps) reward, reward, reward and happily go through the door saying "outside" ....And they do get it. It might take time. the imortant thing is to really stay happy. Never get angry even if they scratch, just ignore and ask or show them the bells...........good luck