The matchstick trick is a strange dog behavior training technique. Every time I suggest it to a client, I usually hear, “You want me to do what?” Although it works. Let me start the hack first, however, with the reasons why you would want to do this trick.
The matchstick trick is a method of getting your dog to go to the bathroom right now. There are several reasons why you would want to use this trick.
1. You are house training a puppy. When you are training a puppy or dog of any age, one of your main goals is for your dog to have a bath schedule. For that dog to have a schedule, your dog must go to the bathroom when you want him to go to the bathroom. For some dogs, this is a challenge. You take them out and they just smell a little while and they don’t feel like going to the bathroom. You, being the person in the situation, know that it will be a while before Fido gets a chance to go to the bathroom again, so the best thing for him would be to go now. (It is difficult to explain the best interest to a dog.) Use the matchstick trick and you’ll help Fido go now, helping him stick to your schedule.
2. From time to time I have clients tell me that their dog is so conditioned to go to the bathroom alone 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 himself in places other than the backyard.
3. Constipated dogs. If your dog has any health problems you should take him immediately to the vet. However, it might not hurt to try the matchstick 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 must be the soft kind that you tear out of a book. Second, rip off a match. Third, this is where it gets weird; insert the NON-sulfur side, or the torn side, into the rear of your dog. DO NOT LIGHT THE MATCH! I think it goes without saying, but trust me, I’ve already answered that question before. Insert the match to the middle of the back of your dog and let the rest hang. A little more and he could get inside 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 it, your dog will squat down to try to push it off. In the process of pushing out the phosphorus, your dog will have a bowel movement and voila! 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 must be careful with this dog behavior training technique. If you do it incorrectly, you could harm your dog. However, if you do it correctly, you will have greater control when it comes to training your dog.
Ty Brown and Dogbehavioronline.com expressly disclaim any liability for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, that may or may be incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the use and application of this method.