Do you believe that house training a dog can be stress-free? Well, I do. If you can teach your dog how to tell you when he needs to go outside, house training a dog becomes simple and fun. Teaching your dog to ring a bell when he needs to go out is one of my favorite methods.
…All and dogs enjoy playing games and learning new tricks.
The “Ring a Bell to Go Outside” method helps you to get your dog to do exactly what you want but for him to think that it was his idea all along! In order to teach your dog how to ring a bell to go outside, simply follow these simple instructions.
(By the way, if you want to see a complete step-by-step video on how this is done, visit this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever blog. It’s fantastic!)
*Step 1. Find a bell. Use a light-weight bell. (Don’t use a heavy metal cow bell.) Remember to consider the size of your dog when you’re choosing the size of the bell. (For example, a dachshund will need a bell that smaller than a Labrador retriever would need.)
*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob …within easy reach of your dog’s nose. (Don’t forget that what exactly nose level is is going to be different for different breeds.)
*Step 3. It’s important to remember that you need to say “outside” before taking the dog out? Do you want to go outside?” As and you’re on your way out the door, jiggle the string so that your dog will bump into it and make it ring. (You might need to shake the bell a bit so the dog can hear it ring.) Repeat for a few days. This step associates the sound of the bell with a behavior – go outside to do your business.
*Step 4. When your dog isn’t watching, go ahead and take your bell and just put a little bit of peanut butter or soft cheese on it.
*Step 5. Now what? Well, wait and watch. Now, two things are possible …and both are behaviors you’re looking for! Some dogs immediately smell the peanut butter, go to the bell, and ring it.. Perfect! Say “Outside?” …open the door, walk over to the potty area, and say “Go potty.* Now it’s time to reward your dog when she potties by giving her lots of praise and a treat.
Other dogs might have to be encouraged a little bit more if you want them to find the bell. If this is something that happens to you, there’s a way around it — simply hold the bell close to your dog’s nose so that he wants to lick it, and rings the bell.
You might have to shake the string tied onto the bell so that the bell makes a couple of rings if the dog’s tongue barely moves the bell.) As the bell rings, you want to say “Outside?” … So now it’s time to get the door open, take the dog directly to the potty area, and say “go potty.”
While the dog is pottying, softly repeat saying “go potty.” Then, you should reward your dog with a treat and praise.
*Step 6. Once the dog can ring the bell easily without assistance from you, that’s when it’s time to ask him “Outside?”…now simply wait by the door for the dog to touch the bell and ring it. Next, it’s time to take the dog outside to go to the bathroom.
Learning the right strategies for house training a dog is good for dogs of all ages! Don’t forget that older dogs will often times need more frequent bathroom trips. …But the bell reminds us.
Certain dogs, like rescue dogs for example, who may have never lived in a house, are quick to learn the difference between inside manners and outside behaviors.
If you want your dog to live in your house with you, and you don’t have a doggie door, this trick will keep your home accident free. I love to use this trick whenever I’m traveling with my dog as well.
All you have to do is remember to bring the bell with you and attach it to the door of your motel room. …you can forget about having to worry about accidents!
