Who is this trick for?

The “turn on the light” trick is suitable for all healthy dogs capable of reaching a light switch. It is likely suitable for dogs from knee height and above. If your dog is large enough that it doesn’t need to jump, this trick is also easily achievable without putting stress on their joints. It is recommended to train this exercise with a regular toggle switch, as a dimmer switch can be challenging for dogs to operate.

How do I teach my dog to turn on the light?

To train your dog to turn on the light, you’ll need some small treats and a Post-it note. If you haven’t worked with a target stick before, this is the step to start with. The target stick is useful for directing your dog to a specific point, as required for this trick.

Step 1 – Conditioning

The target stick has a long rod with a small ball at the end. Hold the extended stick at nose level in front of your dog with some treats in your hand. Your dog will likely sniff it curiously – perfect! Immediately praise the moment your dog’s nose touches the tip of the stick. If you have a clicker, click at that moment and give your dog a treat. Repeat this process several times before increasing the difficulty by holding the stick at different heights. Your dog will quickly understand that touching the ball earns a reward.

Alternatively, the “Touch” trick can be an optimal base. It is usually trained using a target, which can be a small floor mat, such as a colorful placemat or a small seat or knee cushion. The dog will watch as you place it on the floor. On your “Okay,” the dog will approach and touch the pad, and you click and reward instantly. Your dog will quickly learn this sequence, allowing you to direct them more purposefully after a few repetitions, and you can introduce a cue like “Touch.”

Step 2

In the next step, build on this foundation exercise and work towards the light switch. Take a Post-it note and stick it low on the wall. Depending on your starting point, either send your dog with the “Touch” command and praise at the right moment, or if your dog struggles to target the small note instead of the floor target, introduce an intermediate step by sticking the note on the target. Then repeat the original exercise until you remove the floor target and only stick the note in its place.

If you used the target stick, hold it at a low position on the wall. Your dog will follow the end of the stick and touch the wall. Reward this action immediately. To phase out the stick, use a Post-it note on the wall and touch it with the stick. After many repetitions, remove the stick but continue with the same approach.

Step 3

In the final step, gradually move upward. Even though the biggest hurdle has been overcome, your dog may need some encouragement to leave its secure position and reach upward. Move the note slowly higher until your dog becomes more confident. Once the note is on the light switch, praise every touch initially. With luck, the switch will tip quickly – jackpot! Celebrate your dog and give them a great reward. Eventually, wait until the light switch actually flips before rewarding your dog. Once your dog understands the concept, you can introduce a signal like “Light” or “Switch.”