Potty Bells

This training tip is an extension to potty training.... We love to have easier ways for our dogs to let us know when they need to go outside. A bell is a great option. The most common bells used are the ones you can hang on the doorknob, but the desk bells placed on the floor work well too.

The first thing to do is ring the bell every single time that door opens. This will start signaling to the dog that the noise makes the door open. 

Now to get your pup to ring it we will teach him to target. You can start by reaching your hand out to the dog, the dog will follow his instinct to sniff it and when he makes contact with your hand you will say “yes” or click and then follow with a treat. Once you can get your dog to target your hand every time you ask him to, you can start asking him to target other objects like the bell. A way to encourage this can be a bit of peanut butter or wet dog food on the bell so they will lick it and make it ring. Every time they touch it you will open the door. Once you have your dog targeting when you ask, give him some time to see if he will go touch it on his own. When he does, reward the pup and open the door.

Be sure to stop the treats within a few sessions and then only use a verbal reward such as “good dog, let’s go outside” so the dog doesn’t just ring the bell for a treat. The whole purpose is for them to go outside and go potty not just ring the bell. Beware of the dog that’s too smart for his own good and starts ringing the bell for attention and not for outside needs.

As always make sure your training sessions are short, happy and gentle. Both you and the dog should think this is a fun exercise so if its not working stop and try it again later or give us a call so we can help you out.