Would your pet sitter allow a button to go outside?

[Freddiethe]

Hi our dog has been trained to press a button that says "outside" we found it was the best option for us as we could hear it better than something like bells, we could transport it easy, I always just bring it with us wherever we are! Hotel, tent, friends or family house etc and we have never left her with a pet sitter yet. It works well, she doesn't take the piss with it and constantly presses it or anything, she will use it if she needs the toilet or if she genuinely wants to just go out for a bit, which we don't mind of course. We are going away for a wedding and would need her to stay with a pet sitter and the first one I spoke to said it would be unnecessary as she will give plenty of opportunities for her to be let out and I get that, I am the same and to be honest, especially in the summer, she usually doesn't have to use the button at all... as it's open or I'm opening it to go out and do something etc etc so I asked if I could still bring it and she said tbh it's just unnecessary, so I asked a different one who told me they think other dogs in their care may be reactive to a sound speaking back to it so I asked another and they also said they will give plenty of chance for the dog to go out. As much as I am happy with that I just want her to have the button in case she wants to communicate maybe I'm being far too precious and she will be absolutely fine without the need to "say" anything it's just always been more a comfort for me a think but I'm just surprised I did assume a pet sitter would be more than happy to have that just to accommodate. Would yours be okay with it? Want to know if we keep looking or just go with one of those

I don't think many boarders would be happy to accommodate that, no. They have other dogs to factor in and I imagine it would get quite complicated with multiple dogs with multiple buttons or training techniques.

If you want someone who will adhere to the dogs' routine you'll probably need to have someone staying in your home.

If you are only away for one or two nights I think I would see if you can get someone to sit for her in your home.
Most home boarders I know usually do a trial to make sure the dog is ok before you leave them with them for more than a night - have they offered this? If your dog is going to be the only dog boarding then I don’t see why they couldn’t accommodate the button but perhaps more difficult if they have multiple dogs.

Dogs are situational learners so the chances are she’d have to be taught to press it in the strange house with someone else. She would know that it tells YOU she needs or wants to go out but not someone else.

The OP has said that they use the buttons in different locations so I guess the dog would be fine using it at a dog sitters.

My guys are trained on buttons (just because I could!) but really if you know your dog you do not need buttons to communicate with them.

It is a fun thing to train. I also use it with scentwork as a bit of a trick. When my dogs knows several odours , they go off to search and then come back and presses the button for the appropriate odour. Makes them look very smart .

I would be more concerned in choosing a pet sitter that was clued up to your dogs needs and able to observe body language and preempt your dog being in a position to need to ask for anything important

Sorry, not the question but... I would love to train my dogs to do this. We have bells on a rope which the older one uses her nose to jingle when she wants out; the other just stares at them blankly, despite months of demonstrating, offering treats, watching his dogsister demonstrate, 'showing' him, etc, etc. Any training tips?

I’m surprised you were told no. I can’t see the harm for one dog, but obviously if you have a few dogs at any one time with lots of buttons, it could get confusing!

I like my dogs to use their nose to press the button but many people prefer their paws.

Stage 1 get the dog used to pressing the button.

I teach a nose touch first but many people prefer a paw touch. (I dont as my dogs are scent dogs and should not use their paws)

To do a paw touch. Hold a sticky pad with a treat under it the dog will paw the pad to get to the treat.

Some people use the button from the start but have it on silent to start with. If using a post it you can then put the post it on the button and the dog will paw it. Over time make the sticky note smaller until they are hitting the button and not the sticky note.

Stage 2 adding a purpose to the button
Ask the dog to press the button before you open the door to go out. Treat and open the door when they have pressed the button. Be consistent and the dog will soon press the button when they need to go out. You can add voices to the button so you can program it to say "outside please" as they press it.

Thanks! That's worth a go. Although I can foresee some imperious summoning in my future...

This 👆. Likewise, she will know to use the button again when home with you.

An adult dog is quite able to 'hold it' between walks or being let out to toilet at times that suit whoever is looking after it - there really is no need for a dog to 'tell you' they need to go to the toilet. And as for using it because they want to go and play in the garden, that would drive me crazy! While some boarders might be ok with it, I'm not surprised others would not be.

OP I think it's normal to worry about your dog coping without their usual routines when at a dog boarder.

But I think you have to trust that the boarder will be used to dogs coming to them. Mine has different routines at his and he adapts fine.

Offer the button but if they decline then send her without for a trial and you might be surprised that she is fine without.