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Dog Behavior Training: The Match Trick

The matchstick trick is a strange behavior training technique for dogs. Whenever I suggest it to a client, I usually hear, “You want me to do what?” However, it works. However, let me introduce the hack first with the reasons why you would want to do this hack.

The matchstick trick is a method to get your dog to go to the bathroom right now. There are several reasons why you might want to use this trick.

1. You are house training a puppy. When you housetrain a puppy or dog of any age, one of your main goals is to get your dog on a potty schedule. For that dog to have a schedule, your dog needs to go potty when you want him to go potty. For some dogs this is a challenge. You take them out and they just sniff around for a while and don’t feel like going to the bathroom. You, being the person in the situation, know that it will be a while before Fido has a chance to go to the bathroom again, so it would be in his best interest to go now. (It’s hard to explain the best interest to a dog.) Use the matchstick trick and you’ll help Fido leave now, thus helping him stick to your schedule.

2. From time to time I have clients tell me that their dog is so conditioned to potty only in the backyard. When they take their dogs for a walk, the dogs don’t go to the bathroom because they only associate the backyard with bath time. Use the matchstick trick and you can help change the association. You can show your dog that it’s okay to relieve herself in places other than the backyard.

3. Constipated dogs. If your dog has any health problems, you should take it to the vet immediately. However, it might not hurt to try the match trick to see if you can help relieve your old friend of his burdens.

Ok, so what is this trick, you ask? First, get yourself a box of matches. They should be the soft kind that you tear out of a book. Second, pull out a match. Third, this is where it gets weird; insert the NO sulfur side, or the torn side, into your dog’s butt. DON’T LIGHT THE MATCH! I think it goes without saying, but trust me, I’ve answered that question before. Insert the matchstick halfway into your dog’s rear and let the rest hang down. A little more and it could reach the interior and that would be bad news. Now wait. The game is going to be an irritating sensation for your dog. Your dog will want to get rid of that feeling. To get rid of him, his dog will crouch down to try and push him off. In the process of removing the earwax, your dog will defecate and presto! Mission accomplished.

Note that the use of a match in no way means that there will be fire in this dog behavior training technique. The only reason to use a match is because it is the correct size and has a smooth texture.

Obviously, you have to be careful with this dog behavior training technique. If you do it incorrectly it could cause harm to your dog. However, do it correctly and it will give you more control when training your dog.

Ty Brown and Dogbehavioronline.com expressly disclaim all liability for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which may be or be incurred as a result, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of this method.