House Training a Dog – Try this Great “Ring a Bell” Trick
Do you feel that house training a dog can be stress-free? Well, I do. House training a dog is fine when the dog simply tells you that he needs to go outside. Teaching your dog to ring a bell when he needs to go out is one of my favorite methods.
…Every dog simply loves learning tricks and playing games.
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.
(Also, if you’d like a complete step-by-step video on how this is done, check out this house training a dog entry on the Best Dog Ever website. It’s awesome!)
*Step 1. Find a bell. You want to be using a light-weight bell here and. (This is not the time to use a heavy bell, like a cow bell.) Remember to consider the size of your dog when you’re choosing the size of the bell. (As an example, if you have a Labrador retriever he will need a bigger bell than a dachshund.)
*Step 2. Hang the bell from a door knob …within easy reach of your dog’s nose. (Remember also that different breeds will require different heights.)
*Step 3. Every time before you take the dog out, say “Outside? Do you want to go outside?” As you go through the door, move the bell so that the dog will bump into it and it will ring. (Don’t be afraid to shake the bell if you have to to make it ring.) Repeat for a few days. What happens is that your dog starts to link up the sound of the bell with the behavior you want, which is going outside.
*Step 4. Once your dog isn’t watching, you can then place a small amount of cheese or peanut butter on the bell.
*Step 5. Now it’s time to just wait and watch. There are generally two things that might happen …and both of them are positive! Some dogs will smell the food on the bell instantly, and go to it and ring it right away.. ?Perfect! Say “Outside?” …Now you want to open the door, lead your dog to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.” Reward the dog when she potties with praise and a small food treat.
Some dogs and a little extra incentive to go and find the bell. ?If that happens to you try this: ?Hold the bell close to the dog’s nose so the dog smells the peanut butter, licks it, and rings the bell.
It’s possible that you may have to shake the bell at first if your dog’s touch is too light to make it actually ring.) As the bell rings, you want to say “Outside?” … Okay, now open the door, take your dog right to the potty area, and tell her to “go potty.”
While the dog is pottying, softly repeat saying “go potty.” Then, Reward the dog with praise and a small food treat.
*Step 6. As soon as the dog can ring the bell easily, without your help, that’s the time to ask your dog “Outside?”…and make sure to wait until the dog “rings” the bell by the door. Then, take the dog outside to do her business.
Knowing smart techniques for house training a dog is good for dogs of all ages! ?It’s easy to forget that senior dogs often need more frequent bathroom trips due to bladder problems. …But the bell reminds us.
Rescue dogs that have never lived inside a house, quickly learn the difference between “inside” house manners and “outside” house behaviors.
Any dog that lives in a house without a doggy door will keep your home accident-free when they learn how to ring a bell. Plus, puppy potty training with a door bell also works great when your dog travels with you on vacation.
All you have to do is bring your dog bell when you go away and tie it on the door. …you simply won’t have to stress about your dog having accidents!
